 To promote " S & M " , Rihanna performed a shortened version at the 31st Brit Awards and sang the remix with Spears at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards . Melina Matsoukas directed the song 's music video , which was , in part , Rihanna 's response to disparaging critics . It portrays softcore sadomasochist acts and fetishes . The music video was banned in many countries and restricted to nighttime television in others . Critics complimented Rihanna 's sensuality and the vibrant colors . Photographer David LaChapelle filed a lawsuit alleging that the video incorporates ideas from his photographs . Rihanna and LaChapelle settled the case for an undisclosed sum of money . 
