The hashtag #CancelNetflix is trending on social media after a newly released clip from an upcoming film titled “Cuties” sparked controversy.
In addition to the trending hashtag on Twitter, a Change.org.petition has accumulated more than 598,700 signatures calling for people to cancel their subscriptions to the major streaming service after “Cuties” being added to its library.
The movie features a group of preteen girls who form a twerking dance group, despite the main character’s disapproving and very conservative family.
Netflix already made an apology for the poster that showed the young girls posing in a sexual manner but they are now facing criticism over the movie itself, which premiered at Sundance. The apology was made to FOX Business and noted that its promotional poster does not represent the larger plot of the film.
“We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties,” a Netflix spokesperson told FOX Business.”It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film, which premiered at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
However, considering the context of the recently released video of the dance routine, they weren’t buying it.
The video that came out shows some dance scenes from the movie, which focuses on the underage girls’ provocative dance moves. Angry critics went to social media demanding Netflix be canceled over the film’s content.
Maimouna Doucoure, writer and director of the film, says that those who have seen the film agree that when taken out of context the poster and clip do not accurately represent the movie and added that the movie’s message does not approve of the hypersexualization of children.
The director claims to have received death threats after the debacle with the promotional poster.
Doucoure said, “I received numerous attacks on my character from people who had not seen the film, who thought I was actually making a film that was apologetic about hypersexualization of children. I also received numerous death threats.”
