Netflix apologises for 'sexualising' young girls in French film promo
Video streaming giant Netflix has apologised after its promotional material for a French film sparked accusations that it was sexualising young girls.
The award-winning Cuties (Mignonnes in its French release) follows 11-year-old black girl Amy as she grows up in a working-class area of Paris, defies her family and becomes aware of her burgeoning sexuality.
The poster promoting the film in France shows four brightly dressed girls throwing confetti as they walk up a street.
CINEMA | Le film "Mignonnes" de Maïmouna Doucouré est actuellement en salle !! A VOIR D'URGENCE pic.twitter.com/yi8y9jlLt3
— Nothing But the Wax (@nothingbuthewax) August 21, 2020
However, in the United States and internationally Netflix chose an image showing the four young stars posing in tight costumes baring their legs and midriffs.
c'est quoi cette affiche de détraqué @NetflixFR ? pic.twitter.com/Eiat5CQLVN
— ANIS ? (@SenpaiWeb) August 19, 2020
"We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance," Netflix said on Twitter late Thursday.
"We've now updated the pictures and description."
Tens of thousands signed a petition demanding the removal of the film from the platform, where it is due to be streamed from September 9th, describing the film as "disgusting" and "for the viewing pleasure of paedophiles".
But social media users focused on the Netflix artwork, helping to redirect the storm towards the hugely popular streaming platform.
Directed by French-Senegalese woman Maimouna Doucoure, the film premiered at Sundance Film Festival in the US and at the Berlin festival, winning awards at both.
READ ALSO Five Netflix series that will teach you French as the locals speak it
Comments
See Also
The award-winning Cuties (Mignonnes in its French release) follows 11-year-old black girl Amy as she grows up in a working-class area of Paris, defies her family and becomes aware of her burgeoning sexuality.
The poster promoting the film in France shows four brightly dressed girls throwing confetti as they walk up a street.
CINEMA | Le film "Mignonnes" de Maïmouna Doucouré est actuellement en salle !! A VOIR D'URGENCE pic.twitter.com/yi8y9jlLt3
— Nothing But the Wax (@nothingbuthewax) August 21, 2020
However, in the United States and internationally Netflix chose an image showing the four young stars posing in tight costumes baring their legs and midriffs.
c'est quoi cette affiche de détraqué @NetflixFR ? pic.twitter.com/Eiat5CQLVN
— ANIS ? (@SenpaiWeb) August 19, 2020
"We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance," Netflix said on Twitter late Thursday.
"We've now updated the pictures and description."
Tens of thousands signed a petition demanding the removal of the film from the platform, where it is due to be streamed from September 9th, describing the film as "disgusting" and "for the viewing pleasure of paedophiles".
But social media users focused on the Netflix artwork, helping to redirect the storm towards the hugely popular streaming platform.
Directed by French-Senegalese woman Maimouna Doucoure, the film premiered at Sundance Film Festival in the US and at the Berlin festival, winning awards at both.
READ ALSO Five Netflix series that will teach you French as the locals speak it
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.