But the spotlight has only intensified since the film became available on Netflix last week, and it has become the target of heightened politicized outrage. Netflix said in a statement that it is a "social commentary against the sexualization of young children." Written and directed by Maimouna Doucoure, Cuties is about an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant named Amy (Fathia Youssouf) who is living in an impoverished Paris suburb with her observant Muslim family. Netflix acquired Cuties out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year where it was favourably reviewed and won an award for its direction. Cuties director Maimouna Doucoure speaks onstage during the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Awards where her film debuted in January.

Source: CBC News September 15, 2020 15:33 UTC