Netflix Cuties: Disturbing Scenes

John
May 21, 2024
3 min read

In 2020, Netflix released a French film called “Cuties” that received immense backlash due to its depiction of young girls involved in sexualized dance routines. The film, directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, aimed to shed light on the hypersexualization of pre-adolescent girls in society but ultimately sparked a heated controversy. Let’s delve into some of the disturbing scenes that left viewers questioning Netflix’s decision to distribute this film.

1. Dance Routines:

The most prominent aspect of “Cuties” that aroused controversy were the dance routines performed by the young girls. These routines featured sexually suggestive moves, twerking, and other provocative gestures. While the intention might have been to criticize the objectification of young girls, the execution appeared to be exploitative and alarming to many viewers.

2. Lingerie Shopping:

Another scene in “Cuties” depicted the girls sneaking into a lingerie shop and trying on revealing outfits. This scene further intensified the disquiet surrounding the film, as it seemed to normalize the sexualization of minors. Many argued that the scene was unnecessary and contributed to the discomfort associated with “Cuties.”

3. Inappropriate Imagery:

Throughout the film, several sexually explicit moments were shown, despite the young age of the characters involved. These moments included close-up shots of the girls’ bodies, zooming in on their suggestive dance moves, and capturing their reactions to explicit online content. Such scenes added to the discomfort and unease experienced by many viewers.

4. Lack of Context:

One of the major criticisms of “Cuties” is its failure to provide sufficient context to justify the inclusion of explicit content involving minors. While the film aimed to criticize the sexualization of young girls, the execution left audiences questioning the methods employed. Some argued that the film failed to strike the balance between social commentary and actually perpetuating the issue it sought to address.

5. Impact on Child Actors:

The use of child actors in explicit scenes raised significant concerns about the potential harm inflicted on the young performers involved. While measures were taken to ensure their well-being during the filming process, the depiction of sexualized content still raised questions about the ethical treatment of child actors and their exposure to age-inappropriate material.

Netflix was initially faced with widespread backlash for the release of “Cuties,” as many viewers deemed it inappropriate and felt that it crossed the line between addressing a social issue and exploiting young girls. The controversy led to calls for boycotting the streaming platform and sparked debates about the limits of creative expression and responsible filmmaking.

It is important to note that while “Cuties” aimed to start conversations about the sexualization of young girls, the film’s execution failed to resonate with a large portion of its audience. The explicit and disturbing scenes overshadowed the potential impact it could have had on raising awareness about the very issue it sought to address.

In response to the controversy, Netflix eventually apologized for the marketing material used to promote the film, acknowledging that it did not properly represent the film’s intent. However, the debate surrounding “Cuties” continues, highlighting the need for responsible storytelling and discussions surrounding sensitive subjects to avoid further distress and discomfort among viewers.