NEW YORK, Sept 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Thousands of people launched a call to
boycott Netflix on Thursday over the French film “Mignonnes,” angry that its
young stars were portrayed in a sexualized way.
The film, known as “Cuties” in English, is directed by French-Senegalese
director Maimouna Doucoure, and started streaming September 9. More than
200,000 tweets with the hashtag “#CancelNetflix” became the top trending
topic one day later.
A first wave of criticism, in August, led Netflix to withdraw
“inappropriate” artwork used to promote the film, which was released in
theaters that month in France.
Netflix also said it apologized for having used “inappropriate” images.
But on Thursday, broader opposition to some of the imagery came from around
the political spectrum in the United States.
DeAnna Lorraine, a former Republican candidate for Congress from
California, tweeted that “Child pornography is illegal in America.”
“As the mother of an 8-year old girl, I STRONGLY support #CancelNetflix,”
added Beatrice Cardenas, another California Republican.
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 social media’s emphasis
on appearance.
She joins a dance group formed by 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 is morally and ethically
reprehensible. Pedophiles, child rapists and perverts would have a great time
with #Cuties.”
Contacted by AFP, Netflix did not immediately comment.
Among the voices praising the movie were American actress Tessa Thompson
(“Creed”, “Avengers: Endgame”), who found it “beautiful.”
“It gutted me at @sundancefest,” she went on.
“It introduces a fresh voice at the helm. She’s a French Senegalese Black
woman mining her experiences.
“The film comments on the hyper-sexualization of preadolescent girls.
Disappointed to see the current discourse. Disappointed to see how it was
positioned in terms of marketing.
“I understand the response of everybody. But it doesn’t speak to the film I
saw.”