"Antichrist" Film Ad Escapes ASA Ban In The U.K.

November 5, 2009 10:57 a.m. EST

London, England (CNS) - Lars von Trier's provocative ad poster for his equally controversial film "Antichrist" has escaped a ban from U.K. advertising watchdog Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) amidst complaints that it was pornographic.

The ad features a man and a woman having sex on the foot of a tree. It carried a warning that the film "contains strong real sex, bloody violence and self-mutilation."

ASA received seven complaints that claim the image was pornographic, offensive, and inappropriate to be shown in a newspaper where children may see it.

But the organization claims the ad was "unlikely to cause sexual excitement." Also, the imagery appeared in national newspapers, The Times, Guardian, and The Independent, where children were unlikely to see it.

"Antichrist," written and directed by von Trier, came under attack when it premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for featuring explicit sexuality and violence. It stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg.