Netflix apologises for using ‘inappropriate artwork’ slammed for ‘sexualising’ young girls
"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. We’ve now updated the pictures and description"
Netflix has apologised for using inappropiate artwork to promote French Film Cuties (originally titled Mignonnes).
The streaming platform came under fire for artwork that was accused of "sexualizing" young girls, The Metro reported.
Addressing the backlash, Netflix tweeted, "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. We've now updated the pictures and description."
The film follows 11-year-old Amy, a Senegalese Muslim immigrant who becomes obsessed with, and secretly joins, a dance troupe.
In one poster for the Netflix release, Amy and her "Cuties" could be seen wearing booty shorts and crop tops, with knee pads, as they cut sexy dance poses under the backdrop of stage lights, which has caused a great deal of outrage on social media.
"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. We've now updated the pictures and description."
In comparison, the French poster shows the four protagonists laughing and dancing, toting shopping bags – albeit wearing bras and underwear over their clothes, but appearing more lighthearted.
Fans were left unimpressed, with one writing: "After researching the film and reading articles from the director and people who've seen it, you grossly misadvertised the content of the film and made it seem like it was everything it was trying to make a point against."
"I hope you'll be publicly apologising to the director too."
Another said: "How in the hell was it approved to begin with?"
The original synopsis reads: "Amy, an 11-year-old girl, joins a group of dancers named "the cuties" at school, and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity – upsetting her mother and her values in the process."