Cuties (Dir. Maimouna Doucoure, Netflix, 2020)

 

I was hesitant to watch Cuties, which was adapted from French-Senegalese director Maïmouna Doucouré film Mignonnes. This was due to the disturbing nature of the poster that was used during promotion of the film. People were outraged and rightfully so due to the salacious nature of the marketing from Netflix. 

The film revolves around Ami, a French-Senegalese girl from a conservative Muslim family who is torn between her traditional upbringing and internet culture. The film stars Fathia Youssouf as Ami, Médina El Aidi-Azouni, Esther Gohourou, Ilanah Cami-Goursolas and Maïmouna Gueye. She then joins a dance team with a group of other girls that involves them participating in provocative dances. The film is a critique on how hypersexuality affects pre-adolescent girls. She joins this dance team as she believes that it is a form of freedom and liberation from her religious background. The film is a statement on how we only consider women to be liberated if they show themselves in a sexual manner, like having their boobs and butt out and being sexually promiscuous. We consider this is be a marker of one being carefree and that she has agency over her own body, but why isn't this also extended to a girl from a Muslim background like Ami? 

The film was uncomfortable to watch, which I feel was the point of the movie to make one think, if this makes you uncomfortable imagine the effects it has on young children. I think they could've gotten the message across without exploiting kids, but it is based on the own director's experiences and I don't want to be dismissive of that. 

The salacious marketing to promote the film caused it to be shrouded in controversy, leading to an uproar and conversations involving child exploitation. I feel the film is a critique on how much society has become hypersexual and it's impact on children.

This reminds me of when debates around adult music arise, people often rebut that it is not said entertainer's job to raise their children as it is the parent's responsibility. While this is true, it seems as this is a cop out at times because we no longer live in a society that one had to go to a movie theater to watch pornographic films or a store to buy raunchy magazines, as much of adult content as at the click of a button. Children can have access to this at any moment due to modern day technology and watch or listen to said content without parental supervision. Quite similar to Ami's own parents, their attempts at steering their child away from adult content can be undone once the child is influenced by factors outside of the home.

The ending was the most impactful. Ami realizes that she doesn't have to be provocative or revealing. She can be herself not feel pressured to do these things. The movie was supposed to be uncomfortable. She realizes that she can be a child and not have to grow up fast. 

The film got its message across despite being uncomfortable to watch, I rate the film a 6 out of 10.