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After receiving complaints from 13 viewers that it is "irresponsible and offensive, because the [actress Melanie Thierry's] actions simulated drug use," the British Advertising Standards Agency has banned a YSL Belle d'Opium television commercial from airing in the UK. WWD reports:
The full one-minute spot features Thierry performing a dance inspired by the Dance of Salome, choreographed by Akram Khan and set to music by Nitin Sawhney. In one scene, Thierry runs her finger briefly down her arm, and in another the choreography has her writhing on the floor.· Commercial for YSL Belle d’Opium Banned in the U.K. [WWD]However, the ASA noted that the ads that appeared on TV were edited down to 20 seconds, which the ASA considered “created a less flowing, more frantic atmosphere in the ad.”