Cuties director defends Netflix film after lawmakers call for investigation claiming it promotes pedophilia
THE director of Netflix's controversial film Cuties has responded to critics, defending her film as a "feminist" piece of "social commentary" about how young girls are treated in modern society
Speaking on a panel of French film makers at the Toronto Film Festival, Director Maïmouna Doucouré defended her film against claims by lawmakers .
Cuties tells the story of 11-year-old Amy, who was raised in a traditional Senegalese Muslim household. She decides to join a "twerking squad" at her school, and the story follows the crew as they compete in a dance competition.
However, the senator's office is still asking that the film be investigated to see if any child pornography laws were violated.
Cruz's office went on the claim that the footage could be used by pedophiles "in abusive ways."
The movie first began receiving backlash when Netflix released artwork to promote it that featured the pre-teen girls in skimpy outfits posing in a suggestive manner.
That artwork was not used to promote the film in France, where it was originally released, and the director said she had no idea Netflix planned to use that imagery to promote it in the US.
Netflix later issued an apology for the poster, and a trailer that may have misrepresented the intended message of the film.
"We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used to promote Cuties," a spokesperson said. "It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film, which premiered at Sundance."
"We've now updated the pictures and description."
Doucouré said that she also received a personal apology from the company, however, she had already began receiving major backlash after the poster was released.
The director that she had received numerous death threats from people who believe the film was promoting the sexualization of children.