If you woke up this morning to the hashtag #CancelNetflix and were as confused as I was, here’s what you need to know.
In late August, Netflix’s new movie “Cuties” received major backlash after Netflix posted suggestive promos depicting young girls in provocative outfits and poses. Netizens expressed outrage on how inappropriate the images were, saying that the promos were oversexualizing the young girls. Following this, a Change.org petition was created to join in canceling Netflix subscriptions, which quickly circulated around Twitter, garnering nearly 600,000 signatures as of writing.
Its premiere on Netflix, Sept. 9, relit the backlash it initially received, and it was particularly sparked by a suggestive dancing clip from the movie. Right-wing conservatives have also joined the uproar on social media, saying that the existence of this movie condones child pornography. The Rolling Stone notes, “Suddenly, a sensitive coming-of-age movie became a culture-war target.”
Not everyone sees the film this way, however. Many critics pointed out that the film actually touches on important issues surrounding hypersexualization. Maïmouna Doucouré, award-wining director and writer of “Cuties” said, “I just hope that these people will watch the film, because then they will realize we are actually on the same side of this battle against the hypersexualization of children.”
Tessa Thompson also weighed in on Twitter, saying “the film comments on the hyper-sexualization of preadolescent girls. Disappointed to see the current discourse. “
#CUTIES is a beautiful film. It gutted me at @sundancefest. 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. ?
— Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x) August 20, 2020
Photo screengrabbed from “Cuties” trailer
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