Netflix Apologise After Being Accused Of Sexualising Child Stars In Artwork For Cuties

Netflix release an apology

Netflix have apologised after they faced backlash for sexualising child stars in the artwork for Cuties.

The French film won the World Cinematic Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

And it's set to arrive on Netflix this September 9th.

Cuties (Mignonnes in French) follows the story of an 11-year-old Senegalese girl named Amy.

She finds herself torn between her family's traditional values and her newfound love for dance after joining dance group, 'The Cuties.'

You can watch the trailer here:

The backlash

Netflix faced backlash over its marketing of the film, and in particular, its poster.

One social media user pointed out that the original French poster, 'has more "kids having fun!" vibes.'

'While the American version is just fu**ing.... gross. I feel like the #Netflix marketing team has a lot to answer for.'

its . pic.twitter.com/c8QrX0EY75

— kitti (@yeetdere) August 20, 2020

Netflix WTF IS THIS pic.twitter.com/v4FjZkH7K5

— koko (@littlewarior9) August 19, 2020

Beced.#CancelNetflix pic.twitter.com/uNvZxOswWv

— Jared Harfield (@JaredHarfield) August 20, 2020

The apology

The streamer have since released an apology on their official Twitter account:

'We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties.'

'It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance.'

'We’ve now updated the pictures and description.'

We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.

— Netflix (@netflix) August 20, 2020

As per Vanity Fair, the original YouTube description read:

'Amy, 11, becomes fascinated with a twerking dance crew.'

'Hoping to join them, she starts to explore her femininity, defying her family’s traditions.'

The updated description reads:

'Amy, 11 years old, tries to escape family dysfunction by joining a free-spirited dance clique named ‘Cuties,’ as they build their self-confidence through dance.'

The petition

Meanwhile, more than 254,000 people have signed a petition to have the movie removed from the streaming service altogether.

The change.org page reads, 'The movie Cuties shows children dressed provocatively, dancing sexually and is rated only for adult viewers.'

'Please sign the petition to protect our children from exploitation in movies.'

Image via change.org

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