The Independent, Litany

This award-winning, black-and-white commercial (it won the top spot at Cannes, the Grand Prix) enumerates a litany of things we've all heard not to do.

"Don't talk, don't walk, don't drink, don't be fat, don't be thin, don't smoke, don't cry..."

Then it gets more political.

"Don't kill, don't experiment, don't fry your food, don't fry your brain, don't do anything. Don't masturbate, don't be childish, don't drop out, don't play with fire..." and then shows a car on fire. Some are funny, showing a nude male model (and implying an erection) when it says, "Don't stand out."

And, when it shows a male couple leaning heads against each other, it says, "Don't be different." The list goes on and ends with "Don't read" and shows a stack of The Independent newspapers.

This ad is inclusive and flattering, merely showing two men being affectionate without being exploitive. It is further meaningful that it took the top award, indicating critical approval for this point-of-view.