Cuties on Netflix

[lord bunberry]

What’s the story with this film? Everyone seems to be in uproar about it saying it promotes the sexualisation of 11 year old girls. I have to say with all the recent stories coming out of Hollywood this film seems extremely unadvisable. As I understand it this film is French, but I’ve no intention of watching it anyway. Has anyone seen it?

[AT8]

What’s the story with this film? Everyone seems to be in uproar about it saying it promotes the sexualisation of 11 year old girls. I have to say with all the recent stories coming out of Hollywood this film seems extremely unadvisable. As I understand it this film is French, but I’ve no intention of watching it anyway. Has anyone seen it?

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

[Beefster]

What’s the story with this film? Everyone seems to be in uproar about it saying it promotes the sexualisation of 11 year old girls. I have to say with all the recent stories coming out of Hollywood this film seems extremely unadvisable. As I understand it this film is French, but I’ve no intention of watching it anyway. Has anyone seen it?

AFAIK, the outrage is/was based on a bit of marketing material, which Netflix subsequently withdrew and apologised for.

Just for a bit of context, I’ve linked to an NME review of the movie so that we get some non-social media opinions from someone who has actually seen the movie (I haven’t so I’m probably as ill-informed as everyone else who hasn’t).

https://www.nme.com/reviews/cuties-review-netflix-controversy-2749056

[Beefster]

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

I’m almost certain Mary Whitehouse said the same sort of stuff in the 80s on the back of ‘Relax’ by Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The Evil Dead.

[neil7908]

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

All about opinions but I'm far more concerned about the impact on society of the most powerful guy in the world boasting about grabbing women's genitalia without their consent and having dozens of sexual assault allegations against him.

[CropleyWasGod]

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls is wrong?

[bigwheel]

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls is wrong?

Yes, good question...

I guess the reaction to the movie tells us is that never take any social media outrage as a good guide to what has actually happened. I’m guessing the many people who are offended haven’t actually watched the movie ...

[Future17]

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

If that was the worst thing we had to worry about regarding our direction "as a society", I'd be delighted.

[lord bunberry]

AFAIK, the outrage is/was based on a bit of marketing material, which Netflix subsequently withdrew and apologised for.

Just for a bit of context, I’ve linked to an NME review of the movie so that we get some non-social media opinions from someone who has actually seen the movie (I haven’t so I’m probably as ill-informed as everyone else who hasn’t).

https://www.nme.com/reviews/cuties-review-netflix-controversy-2749056
That’s an altogether different take on the film from the views I was reading last night. It’s not a film I’m likely to ever watch, but it’s certainly something that’s sparked debate which isn’t a bad thing. I think the biggest problem with social media is that it will be condemned by those who haven’t even seen it.

[Pretty Boy]

That’s an altogether different take on the film from the views I was reading last night. It’s not a film I’m likely to ever watch, but it’s certainly something that’s sparked debate which isn’t a bad thing. I think the biggest problem with social media is that it will be condemned by those who haven’t even seen it.

It was always thus.

People who hadn't seen the paedophile episode of Brass Eye were telling us it was an indictment of where society was headed 20 years ago.

The best part of that whole furore was the Independent calling the Daily Star out for their hypocrisy. Whilst decrying the episode, and completely missing the point, they ran their 'campaign' story next to a story, with pictures, about the breasts of Charlotte Church. She was 15.

[Peevemor]

I have an 11 year old daughter and I'm very aware/wary of stuff that she can access that may influence her.

From what I understand this film is meant to be (intellectually) provocative. If you choose to watch it and end up a wee bit uncomfortable then it's probably worked.

Léon is one of my favourite films, but it also leaves me uneasy.

[lord bunberry]

It was always thus.

People who hadn't seen the paedophile episode of Brass Eye were telling us it was an indictment of where society was headed 20 years ago.

The best part of that whole furore was the Independent calling the Daily Star out for their hypocrisy. Whilst decrying the episode, and completely missing the point, they ran their 'campaign' story next to a story, with pictures, about the breasts of Charlotte Church. She was 15.
I remember the Brass Eye episode, the fallout from that was quite funny.

[SHODAN]

I've just this very minute seen it being discussed on the news where they showed a few clips and I have to say, it's beyond ridiculous to think that someone at Netflix thought this was a good idea. This movie, combined with Cardi B singing about her dripping wet genitalia shows where we're heading as a society.

Lol

[EAZY-ME]

What’s the story with this film? Everyone seems to be in uproar about it saying it promotes the sexualisation of 11 year old girls. I have to say with all the recent stories coming out of Hollywood this film seems extremely unadvisable. As I understand it this film is French, but I’ve no intention of watching it anyway. Has anyone seen it?

Ive heard of it through my 8 year old whos friends at school were talking about it.....utterly disgusting!!

There's a film that's coming out just now that i won't name about a man who loses his 10 year old daughter and replaces her with a robot. During the day they swim in the pool and at night he takes her to bed the story says..( and thats exactly what he does).. I read about it in an article online where a woman was condemning it and it literally made me feel sick and incredibly ****ing angry.

[hibsbollah]

Ive heard of it through my 8 year old whos friends at school were talking about it.....utterly disgusting!!

There's a film that's coming out just now that i won't name about a man who loses his 10 year old daughter and replaces her with a robot. During the day they swim in the pool and at night he takes her to bed the story says..( and thats exactly what he does).. I read about it in an article online where a woman was condemning it and it literally made me feel sick and incredibly ****ing angry.

Some folk on this thread are in serious need of some WAP.

[EAZY-ME]

Some folk on this thread are in serious need of some WAP.

I don't understand what you mean by WAP

[Beefster]

Ive heard of it through my 8 year old whos friends at school were talking about it.....utterly disgusting!!

There's a film that's coming out just now that i won't name about a man who loses his 10 year old daughter and replaces her with a robot. During the day they swim in the pool and at night he takes her to bed the story says..( and thats exactly what he does).. I read about it in an article online where a woman was condemning it and it literally made me feel sick and incredibly ****ing angry.

What were 8 year olds saying about the movie that they haven’t seen that you found ‘utterly disgusting’?

[Mon Dieu4]

Some folk on this thread are in serious need of some WAP.

:faf::faf:

[EAZY-ME]

What were 8 year olds saying about the movie that they haven’t seen that you found ‘utterly disgusting’?

Some of them have watched it...and it really doesn't matter what they said that i find disgusting.

[Moulin Yarns]

I see that it has been nominated for a number of awards at film Festivals and won best director at Sundance.

The controversy appears to be around how netflix is marketing it..



https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/cuties-movie-review-1056197/

[CapitalGreen]

Some of them have watched it...and it really doesn't matter what they said that i find disgusting.

Weird thing to lie about mate.

[bigwheel]

people should actually watch these movies or research them rather than just read the conservative outcry . Directed by a women, with stories from her childhood and others she has interviewed, she is offering a criticism and reflections on the role that social media and other elements accelerate the sexualisation of young girls, and why it is unhealthy ..

For example : she deals with how the moves in everyday pop videos are copied by young kids, and that they often don’t understand what those moves are inferring ..it’s a commentary on why this is unhealthy ...not supportive of it .

[CropleyWasGod]

Some of them have watched it...and it really doesn't matter what they said that i find disgusting.

What is it that you find disgusting?

[MKHIBEE]

All I have to say is that I am going to watch it before commenting, or not, in which case I wont

[Pretty Boy]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Everything else will seem positively tame afterwards.

[Hibrandenburg]

People have reacted in a similar manner to this theme in literature and the media for decades. The prime example for me is Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita" which caused absolute uproar in the 50's. Nearly 70 years later it's considered a classic and is recognised for putting several taboo subjects under the spotlight. It made people aware that child abuse is not something carried out by monsters but every day human beings that walk amongst us and that these people are normally deemed to be trustworthy otherwise we wouldn't trust our children with them. It also destroyed what used to be a popular name for girls, such was the power of the novel. If a book or film can raise awareness about an otherwise taboo subject and create discussion, then surely that is a good thing, even if it makes some feel uncomfortable.

I've not heard about "Cuties", so can't comment on that.

[Moulin Yarns]

Ive heard of it through my 8 year old whos friends at school were talking about it.....utterly disgusting!!

There's a film that's coming out just now that i won't name about a man who loses his 10 year old daughter and replaces her with a robot. During the day they swim in the pool and at night he takes her to bed the story says..( and thats exactly what he does).. I read about it in an article online where a woman was condemning it and it literally made me feel sick and incredibly ****ing angry.




https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-trouble-with-being-born-berlin-review/5148160.article


Always worth reading reviews before making any opinions based on nothing in particular.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

I don't understand what you mean by WAP

I'm sure it's something to do with the Internet. 😉

[Beefster]

Some of them have watched it...and it really doesn't matter what they said that i find disgusting.

The movie is a 15 rating and only came out a day or two ago. Rather than the movie, you might direct your disgust at the parents of your 8-year-old’s friends. They’re the ones letting their children see incredibly inappropriate movies.

[Beefster]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Everything else will seem positively tame afterwards.

I love a good horror or the likes of Hostel or Saw but I’ve specifically avoided that one because I know, from what I’ve read, that I really won’t like it and may even be disgusted by it. Works for me!

[Keith_M]

I refuse to take a stance on this until The Guardian tells me what I should think...

...then tells me the next day that it was wrong to think that and that the world is messed up because of people like me.


My Therapist owes them a debt of gratitude.

[Mon Dieu4]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Everything else will seem positively tame afterwards.

Is the correct answer, I'm pretty much invincible when it comes to films but that one even had me saying ****ing hell

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Which one? 😉

[Mon Dieu4]

I just saw a clip of it on twitter and must admit that it did make me feel uncomfortable as wee lassies definitely shouldn't be dancing like that and the camera angles etc weren't holding back, people are saying that this is what the film is intended to do(job well and truly done) but that also doesn't stop it from being a paedos wet dream at the same time

It's one of those issues where I can kinda see both points of view and don't know where I stand on it

[Future17]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Everything else will seem positively tame afterwards.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54103761

[CapitalGreen]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54103761

I’ve heard of this through my 7 year old son who’s friends were talking about it at school. While they were impressed with the cinematography they believed the violence depicted was utterly disgusting.

[CropleyWasGod]

This is what the director says:-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuties-director-maimouna-doucoure-why-i-made-the-film/2020/09/15/7e0ee406-f78b-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html

[TheReg!]

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls is wrong?


A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls by actually sexualising young girls. Yeah, great one Einstein.

Yeah, it’s wrong very ****n wrong! Obviously right up your street then??

[CropleyWasGod]

A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls by actually sexualising young girls. Yeah, great one Einstein.

Yeah, it’s wrong very ****n wrong! Obviously right up your street then??

I don't know if it's up my street, as I haven't seen it, just like most people.

Rational, respectful debate, though, is up my street. Is it up yours? 😎

[Hibrandenburg]

A film that intends to promote debate about the sexualisation of young girls by actually sexualising young girls. Yeah, great one Einstein.

Yeah, it’s wrong very ****n wrong! Obviously right up your street then??

Out of order, well out of order.

[bigwheel]

This is what the director says:-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuties-director-maimouna-doucoure-why-i-made-the-film/2020/09/15/7e0ee406-f78b-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html

It still really amazes me that so many people are offended by this film and haven’t watched it. It’s good to read the directors view. Thanks for sharing.

She brings a good set of perspectives. I’ve watched this. I thought it was brave to tackle these topics. Did I sit a bit uneasy about it..yep, I did. There are a few scenes that make you sit a bit more uncomfortable than others...but it’s not an offensive film. it leaves you in no doubt that the filmmaker is attacking the sexualisation of young girls. The attackers of this film are in the same team as the film maker. Yet, they would rather be outraged, than be open to watching it and understanding that.


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[TheReg!]

It still really amazes me that so many people are offended by this film and haven’t watched it. It’s good to read the directors view. Thanks for sharing.

She brings a good set of perspectives. I’ve watched this. I thought it was brave to tackle these topics. Did I sit a bit uneasy about it..yep, I did. There are a few scenes that make you sit a bit more uncomfortable than others...but it’s not an offensive film. it leaves you in no doubt that the filmmaker is attacking the sexualisation of young girls. The attackers of this film are in the same team as the film maker. Yet, they would rather be outraged, than be open to watching it and understanding that.


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So you enjoyed watching young girls being sexualised? Can’t get my head around how anyone can defend this film. Absolutely disgusting!!

[TheReg!]

I’m guessing we soon won’t hear from you on here for a while...that is probably the most outrageous post I’ve ever seen on here....repulsive


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That’s right double down on it. It’s not as repulsive as enjoying watching basically a film for Pedophiles .

[bigwheel]

So you enjoyed watching young girls being sexualised? Can’t get my head around how anyone can defend this film. Absolutely disgusting!!

Yes, there are some scenes which do show the young kids in sexualised images, such as they see pop stars and others do.... it is nothing different than they will be confronted with every day on tik Tok or equivalents...the movie is much deeper than those images..it’s about loneliness, wanting to be part of the gang, how kids get involved in the Instagram , etc generation...it’s exactly the type of thought provoking movie parents should watch - it helps understand and deal with these issues better...but if you prefer to simply be outraged and abusive then carry on


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[Scouse Hibee]

Wow I’m unsure why The Reg totally lost the plot on this, it’s not like him. I have met him and been in his company, he’s a very decent guy. Hope he’s okay.

[Hibrandenburg]

Wow I’m unsure why The Reg totally lost the plot on this, it’s not like him. I have met him and been in his company, he’s a very decent guy. Hope he’s okay.

I think there was probably drink involved and something else bubbling away below the surface. He'd also been making several attention seeking troll like posts the last few days and I guess something just burst last night. Hope he's ok but there's just some things you don't call another poster because he has a different view to you about a film.

[Colr]

What’s the story with this film? Everyone seems to be in uproar about it saying it promotes the sexualisation of 11 year old girls. I have to say with all the recent stories coming out of Hollywood this film seems extremely unadvisable. As I understand it this film is French, but I’ve no intention of watching it anyway. Has anyone seen it?

Don’t know anything about it and don’t intend to watch but the coverage reminds me of the reaction to “minipops” which was on Channel 4 when it started.

That was taken off air due to similar complaints.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

If you want to be disgusted watch A Serbian Film.

Everything else will seem positively tame afterwards.

I was even scared to google it!!! After reading the synopsis on Wikipedia I decided best to avoid

[Callum_62]

Not watched it yet but probably will do I can give actual opinions on it

I have a primary aged daughter myself so will be interesting to see

Speaking of sexualisation of young girls
... My daughter does alot of dancing, some of they dance schools I've seen push the boundaries on that IMHO.

To be fair Its the adults doing the sexualisation part, the kids are just enjoying dancing

I have a feeling cuties will make me feel the same way as they American childrens beauty pageants reality shows..... My skin crawls

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[Peevemor]

Not watched it yet but probably will do I can give actual opinions on it

I have a primary aged daughter myself so will be interesting to see

Speaking of sexualisation of young girls
... My daughter does alot of dancing, some of they dance schools I've seen push the boundaries on that IMHO.

To be fair Its the adults doing the sexualisation part, the kids are just enjoying dancing

I have a feeling cuties will make me feel the same way as they American childrens beauty pageants reality shows..... My scin crawls

Sent from my VOG-L29 using TapatalkI have a friend who has 2 daughters (about 9 & 11) who are both doing different types of dance classes.

She regularly shares photos on Facebook which make me cringe. Why not leave 9 year old girls to look like 9 year old girls instead of caking them with make up and dressing them in like an early 80s disco film?

[Pretty Boy]

I watched this tonight and thought it was interesting enough. Can't say I was blown away by it or particularly shocked. Warning there are a few spoilers below.

It seemed to me to be a cultural commentary as much as anything. A young girl at an age where she is trying to find her place in the world and work out who she is and how things work. The contrast between the elderly ladies at the Mosque and their view of a 'real' woman and the expectations of her mixed group of friends and their access to sexualised depictions of young women. There was a scene in which the lead character is being scolded by her aunt who then reveals she was engaged at the same age (11). I took that as a comment on the fact young women have always been sexualised, willingly or otherwise. Some of the scenes that showed the girls as just that where probably more shocking to me than the suggestive dance routines. Girls wearing make up and acting older than their years is hardly a groundbreaking revelation. A scene with confusion about what a condom is or the fear when a period starts unexpectedly were a stark reminder these were children and probably troubled me more than some of the dance scenes.

In many ways it reminded me of East is East in that it threw up the clear differences between generations and the challenges that presents. Traditional parents pitched against children caught between respect for who they were and where they came from and who they want to be. For all the controversy has been about the sexualisation and exploitation of young girls the lead character showed herself to be the strongest women in the film. She stood up to her fathers polygamy in a way her elders didn't and she rejected both the traditional lifestyle that had been planned for her and the allure of pretending to be older than she was. She chose to be a child.

It's not a great film by any stretch imo, although I accept I may not be the target audience. I'd recommend watching it though just to dispel some of the myths around it. Yes there are a few scenes that left me uneasy but that was the whole point.

[Betty Boop]

I watched this tonight and thought it was interesting enough. Can't say I was blown away by it or particularly shocked. Warning there are a few spoilers below.

It seemed to me to be a cultural commentary as much as anything. A young girl at an age where she is trying to find her place in the world and work out who she is and how things work. The contrast between the elderly ladies at the Mosque and their view of a 'real' woman and the expectations of her mixed group of friends and their access to sexualised depictions of young women. There was a scene in which the lead character is being scolded by her aunt who then reveals she was engaged at the same age (11). I took that as a comment on the fact young women have always been sexualised, willingly or otherwise. Some of the scenes that showed the girls as just that where probably more shocking to me than the suggestive dance routines. Girls wearing make up and acting older than their years is hardly a groundbreaking revelation. A scene with confusion about what a condom is or the fear when a period starts unexpectedly were a stark reminder these were children and probably troubled me more than some of the dance scenes.

In many ways it reminded me of East is East in that it threw up the clear differences between generations and the challenges that presents. Traditional parents pitched against children caught between respect for who they were and where they came from and who they want to be. For all the controversy has been about the sexualisation and exploitation of young girls the lead character showed herself to be the strongest women in the film. She stood up to her fathers polygamy in a way her elders didn't and she rejected both the traditional lifestyle that had been planned for her and the allure of pretending to be older than she was. She chose to be a child.

It's not a great film by any stretch imo, although I accept I may not be the target audience. I'd recommend watching it though just to dispel some of the myths around it. Yes there are a few scenes that left me uneasy but that was the whole point.


Mark Kermode eat your heart out ! :greengrin