Netflix has released a few films over the years that have garnered the media’s attention and criticism, but none quite like their new movie “Cuties” - a film about a Muslim refugee girl who discovers a passion for dancing with a friendly crew while also navigating her life at home.
While the movie itself focuses on the hypersexualisation of women and social media, has Netflix pushed the limits by seemingly marketing the movie to paedophiles? It’s a very valid question when we look at how Netflix decided to promote the movie with a sexually suggestive poster and an alarming description. While these both have been changed, many people are outraged and have even started a petition for the movie company not to release it.
The “Cuties” movie poster contained the four girls in the dance crew in suggestive poses, wearing crop tops, booty shorts and knee pads. The poster was later changed to a picture of the girls on a shopping trip having fun, where the only possible sexual connotation is the underwear they wore over their clothes.
At first, the description read like this: “Amy, 11, becomes fascinated with a twerking dance crew. Hoping to join them, she starts to explore her femininity, defying her family’s traditions.” When Netflix began to receive backlash for both the poster and the caption, they switched them out for more “family-friendly” versions, as it “didn’t fit with how the movie was meant to be”.
In addition to the blatant sexualisation of the young girls, Netflix has also received criticism for the movie promoting Islamophobia and stereotypes. In the movie, the protagonist is portrayed as “looking for freedom”, as her mother is oppressing her and not letting her be who she wants to be. Muslim women can cover up and still feel liberated at the same time.
Written by Charlie Addie
Artwork by Aurora Brooks
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