CUTIES’ CONTROVERSY
Not Your Average Kids' Film
Art can be linear. Storytelling in which, whether complicated or straight-forward, seeks greater pastures for all. The most polarizing ones are nuanced, acting to alarm viewers, shed light on situations or perhaps seek change. Netflix’s film Cuties does all that. But the question is, at what cost?
A screenplay by Maïmouna Doucouré and Zangro, the French film, highlights a disenfranchised, 11-year old girl named Amy. Living a life opposite of a free-spirited teenager, she befriends a dance crew that, in her eyes, provides all she wants out of life; salvation. Given temptation and home conflict, she dives in and takes on this life of free will, to an extreme degree.
The film has proved to be poorly-received, between the clothing, overly-sexualized dance routines, and racy photography posted on social media. Ted Cruz wants the film investigated; news outlets are questioning if Netflix should be on trial. And #cancelNetflix is gaining traction.
Since its North American release, the film’s reception is confusing, considering IMDB scored it a 2.1/10, while Rotten Tomatoes is currently at 89%. So where is the disconnect? Perhaps, it is global. In 2017, Doucouré won the Sundance Filmmaking Award for the script.
Upon Netflix picking up the film in January, fans had high hopes for this award-winning script. But, many are skeptical, anticipating the young actors are in uncharted territory. And before release, it was anyone’s guess about the actual video. Many have said the film promotes pedophilia. Some say that the film is misunderstood, with the creators and critics being on the same moral compass. The similarities of shedding such a light on these issues are no different from dark films, shows, and novels on other misrepresented demographics.
The film industry has emphasized highlighting the realities of the disenfranchised as of late, with the LGBTQ+ community being the most recent example. They had growing pains with the media, but it motivated empowerment and treating the young actors with respect. These ideas may be what Doucouré had in mind, a harsh reality to spark conversation. Unfortunately, the selling point of the film is not something to write home about.
In the end, polarizing films tend to alarm viewers and also make them think. Its purpose may be to consider what effects a conservative or permissive upbringing can have on kids. This lesson may be emotional, but at what cost for both young and old? For now, that remains to be seen.
