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A first wave of criticism, in August, led Netflix to remove “inappropriate” artwork used to promote the film, which opened in theaters that month in France.
A still image from the movie ‘Mignonnes’. Image: www.sundance.org/projects/cuties
NEW YORK – Thousands of people launched a call to boycott Netflix on Thursday over the French film. Cute – known as Cuties in English – angry that his young stars were portrayed in a sexualized way.
The film is directed by Franco-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure and began airing on September 9. More than 200,000 tweets with the hashtag “#CancelNetflix” became the hottest topic a day later.
A first wave of criticism in August prompted Netflix to remove “inappropriate” artwork used to promote the film, which opened in theaters that month in France.
Netflix also said it apologized for using “inappropriate” images.
But on Thursday, broader opposition to some of the images came from across the political spectrum in the United States.
DeAnna Lorraine, a former Republican congressional candidate from California, tweeted that “Child pornography is illegal in America.”
“As the mother of an 8-year-old, I STRONGLY support #CancelNetflix,” added Beatrice Cárdenas, another Republican from California.
The film, which received a director’s award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of Amy, an 11-year-old Parisian, who must juggle the strict rules of her Senegalese family and the emphasis of social media on the appearance.
She joins a dance group made up of three other girls from her neighborhood, whose choreographies are sometimes suggestive.
“The hypersexualization of girls (and boys) is disgusting,” tweeted Omar Navarro, another Republican politician. “It’s morally and ethically reprehensible. Pedophiles, child rapists, and perverts would have a great time with #Cuties.”
Among the voices praising the film were American actress Tessa Thompson (Creed, Avengers Endgame), who found it “beautiful”.
“He gutted me at @sundancefest,” he continued.
“Bring a new voice to the helm. She is a French Senegalese black woman who draws from her experiences.
“The film comments on the hypersexualization of pre-adolescent girls. Disappointed to see the current speech. Disappointed to see how it ranks in terms of marketing.
“I understand everyone’s answer. But it doesn’t relate to the movie I saw.”
Disappointed to see how it ranks in terms of marketing. I understand everyone’s answer. But it doesn’t talk about the movie I saw. https://t.co/L6kmAcJFU1
– Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) August 20, 2020
A Netflix spokesperson said: “Cuties is a social comment against the sexualization of young children.
“It is an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure girls face on social media and from society in general as they grow up, and we encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the film.”
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