Netflix bashed for 'Cuties' poster sexualizing 11-year-olds, takes artwork down
Netflix is under fire for posting, what many think is, an inappropriate image showing child actors engaging in sensual dance postures from the film Cuties. The streaming giant has since tendered a public apology for hurting people among its vast audience base, who called out the platform for varying levels of disgrace that the artwork has caused. Cuties is set for a September release.
Why did the poster infuriate so many people?
In that controversial artwork and also in the film, the characters are of 11 years of age, while leading actress Fathia Youssouf is actually of that age. Their seemingly sexualized portrayal irked many as soon as Netflix released the poster promoting Cuties before its release on the platform on September 9. Social media users vented their outrage online calling out the streaming giant.
Protests: Some canceled subscriptions, some asked Netflix to offload film
Among the infuriated users, some attacked Netflix head on for allegedly sexualizing Black actresses as young as 11. Some said they canceled their Netflix subscriptions after that infamous artwork irritated them. Taking the protest a notch up, the Parents Television Council objected to this depiction and asked Netflix to strike it off its upcoming release schedules. A change.org petition against Cuties followed too.
This Twitter user launched his protest on religious grounds
'Cuties' was just the straw that broke the camel's back'
Another accused Netflix of promoting pedophilia, latter issues apology
Another angry user alleged that Netflix is indirectly promoting pedophilia through this artwork and the film. The concerned user uploaded a short chat with a Netflix official on Instagram, full of strong allegations against the platform. The official, however, remained neutral in their response. In its apology, Netflix said the poster "was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film."
This user accused Netflix of promoting paedophilia through 'Cuties' poster
'Deeply sorry, have now updated the pictures and description'
The plot in brief: What is the film about?
Cuties is a French-language film directed by Maïmouna Doucouré and has hit the French theaters on August 19. This film, which bagged the World Cinema Dramatic Directing award at the Sundance Film Festival in January, portrays the struggles of a Senegalese immigrant girl named Amy, who is frustrated of her conservative parents and takes interest in a contemporary girl dance group named Cuties.
