Knightley in violent charity ad

Both actress and director donated their time for free

Actress Keira Knightley is seen suffering a brutal assault in a new advertisement highlighting the issue of domestic violence.

The two minute TV and cinema ad, for the charity Women's Aid, shows the star being beaten by her partner after she returns home from a film set.

It is directed by Joe Wright, who worked with Knightley on Atonement.

The actress said: "Domestic violence affects one in four women at some point in their lifetime."

As the camera pans out, the location is revealed to be an empty film set, where 24-year-old Knightley cowers on the floor as the beating continues.

A strapline reads: "Isn't it time someone called cut?"

The advert, made by Grey London, will be shown in cinemas before 15-rated movies from 2 April, and will also be shown on television after the watershed.

In 2007, Grey London worked on another controversial poster campaign which showed female celebrities like Fiona Bruce and Anna Friel made-up with cuts and bruises to appear as if they had suffered domestic beatings.

Watch the official advert
[Contains scenes of violence which viewers may find disturbing]