‘Cancel Netflix’ gains momentum as ‘Cuties’ is accused of ‘feeding paedophilia’

Users are boycotting the streaming giant over the controversial French film ‘Cuties’

People have started cancelling their Netflix subscriptions over its “sexualising” of young girls.

The hashtag #CancelNetflix is trending on Twitter with people boycotting the streaming giant following its release of Cuties on 9 September, claiming that it sexualises its 11-year-old characters and is “feeding paedophilia”.

Cuties, titled Mignonnes in France, has received critical acclaim and won a directing award at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

It follows Amy, an 11-year-old girl who, according to Netflix’s synopsis, "tries to escape family dysfunction by joining a free-spirited dance clique named ‘Cuties’, as they build their self confidence through dance.”

One user on Twitter wrote: “Why did Netflix let a child porn be aired? 650 little girls twerking….” 

Another said: “About to end a decade long relationship with Netflix. As a dad of an 11 y.o daughter, this is so unacceptable… No amount of paedophilia is acceptable #Cancel Netflix.”

Fathia Youssouf, Médina El Aidi-Azouni, Esther Gohourou e Ilanah Cami-Goursolas en 'Cuties'. (Courtesy of Netflix)

A number of users are sharing screenshots of the IMDb parental guide for the film to justify their anger. IMDb cites a number of scenes in the movie to back up their 18+ rating for the film, including, “Lengthy and excessive closeup shots of breasts, bums and spread crotches of scantily clad 11-year-old girls.”

A petition on Change.org calling on customers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions over content “that exploits children and creates a disturbing vibe” has gained over 600,000 signatures.

Cuties became the subject of controversy after Netflix was accused of sexualising 11-year-old girls in its promotional poster for the film, which was vastly different from the French version.

A number of actors spoke out in support of the film. Avengers: Endgame star Tessa Thompson wrote: “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.”

Recently, director Maïmouna Doucouré said she received death threats after Netflix released the tone-deaf poster for her film.

The streaming giant ended up removing the poster and issuing an apology for the “inappropriate” artwork.