Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” unrated video has been controversial since it was released, and after the single became a worldwide hit, nabbing the no.1 spot in the U.K. and U.S., the claims of misogyny have somehow dimmed the spotlight on the hit single.

But Diane Martel, the director of the video, has come forward to defend the explicit video, according to UInterview, saying that she wanted to “deal with the misogynist, funny lyrics in a way where the girls were going to overpower the men.”

She claimed that the video was meant to be playful and taboo, but not degrading. The director said that she actually saw the women as the powerful figures in the video.

“Look at Emily Ratajkowski’s performance; it’s very, very funny and subtly ridiculing. That’s what is fresh to me,” Martel said.

She added that the idea of the video forces the men to “feel playful and not at all like predators.”

“I directed the girls to look into the camera, this is very intentional and they do it most of the time; they are in the power position. I don’t think the video is sexist. The lyrics are ridiculous, the guys are silly as f***. That said, I respect women who are watching out for negative images in pop culture and who find the nudity offensive, but I find [the video] meta and playful.”

The director said that the idea for the video was inspired by Helmut Newtown’s work to create a bold music video with the white background Thicke wanted.

“I love Helmut Newton and as I sat and thought about the ideas for what the girls could wear in the video, some images of his work came to mind. I realized they could wear…shoes. This would get some attention for the song and the artist.”

The hashtag, which help make the video a social media success was a “pretty obvious idea” according to Martel.

“I like that it’s hard to see what’s going on behind the graphics and a bit awkward. It sells Robin nicely. His [last] name is strong and I suppose it has subconscious connotations.”

The unrated version of “Blurred Lines” featured models dancing and walking around naked, while being grabbed and checked out by Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. 

The uncensored video was banned by YouTube, but the YouTube-approved version still shows the ladies barely wearing anything.