Turkish Family Ministry asks Turkey’s media watchdog (RTUK-Radio and Television Supreme Council) to adopt measures against Netflix movie “Cuties“.
Speculative Debate Around Netflix Movie Cuties
The Family, Labor, and Social Services Ministry has applied to Turkey’s media watchdog (RTUK). So, the ministry demands from Radio and Television Supreme Council to adopt “necessary measures” against a new Netflix movie called Cuties. The movie, by the way, is at the center of controversy for “sexualizing children.”
Cutie/Mignonnes is at the center of controversy for sexualizing children. (Image Credit-Miami Herald)
In a statement, the ministry said that the movie might make children “vulnerable to negligence and abuse.” The ministry, what’s more, added that the movie can have a negative impact on children’s “psycho-social development.”
Firm Accusations on Social Media: Is Netflix Supporting Pedophilia?
The Family, Labor, and Social Services Ministry, thus, has invited Turkey’s media watchdog Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) to the duty. The Family Ministry demands the Supreme Council to adopt every “necessary measure” needed. There is, now, a global reaction against a new Netflix movie Cuties. Furthermore, the movie is at the very center of controversy “sexualizing children.”
Turkish Family Ministry asks Turkey’s media watchdog to adopt measures against Netflix movie Cuties. (Image Credit-Les Inrocks)
So, the ministry submitted an application to the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK). Hence, the ministry is asking for the Supreme Council to evaluate the French-Senegalese film.
When did The Ministry Submit The Application?
The ministry submitted the application on August 20. In a statement, the ministry said that the movie might make children “vulnerable to negligence and abuse.” The actual concern of the ministry is that the movie Cuties can have a negative impact on children’s “psycho-social development.” Likewise, global concerns and reactions against the movie go around the fear of the movie “sexualizing children.”
The poster of the movie arranged by Netflix raised the pro-Turkish government’s demand to ban Netflix in Turkey. (Image Credit-Newsweek)
Global Reactions Against Netflix Movie Cuties
Thousands worldwide have accused the online streaming platform Netflix of sexualizing young girls. What’s more, some even demanded a ban on the award-winning film after Netflix’s official Twitter account shared its poster.
The story of the movie revolves around a traditional Senegalese Muslim girl. (Image Credit-Premiere)
Responding to the criticism, Netflix on August 20 issued an apology. Furthermore, they announced that it was taking down the controversial artwork. The artwork, in the meantime, featured young girls wearing “skimpy outfits” and posing in “provocative” ways. However, the site has decided against scrapping the film, which is set to release online on September 9.
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 (@netflix) August 20, 2020
What is the Story of Cuties/Mignonnes?
The story of the movie revolves around a traditional Senegalese Muslim girl. She is caught between two contrasting sides, traditional values, and Internet culture. On the other hand, the movie is also discussing the hypersexualization of pre-adolescent girls.
Netflix movie Cuties/Mignonnes caused a global reaction against Netflix. (Image Credit-Medium)
Eleven-year-old immigrant girl Amy originally hails from Senegal. The girl lives with her mother Mariam (Maïmouna Gueye) in one of Paris’s poorest neighborhoods. Amy and her family live in an apartment along with her two younger brothers. She, by the way, is awaiting for her father to rejoin the family from Senegal.
Netflix announced that it is going to release online on September 9. (Image Credit-RT.com)
Things turn swiftly as Amy is fascinated by her disobedient neighbor Angelica’s twerking clique called “Cuties.” It is an adult-style dance troupe that has contrasting fortunes and characteristics to Mariam’s traditional customs, values, and traditions.
International Reputation of The Movie
The film premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on 23 January. At the festival, the director Maïmouna Doucouré also won the Directing Award. The movie was released in France on 19 August 2020 by BAC Films. And so, Netflix is going to release the movie internationally on 9 September 2020. So, it is now a great curiosity about how the movie’s ratings will be like after its screening on Netflix.
Maïmouna Doucouré, the director of Cuties/Mignonnes, won the directing award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. (Image Credit-Teller Report)
Lately, Netflix Turkey has been on the target of the Turkish government. AKP (Justice and Development Party) has been highly uncomfortable with Netflix’s broadcasts. Therefore, the government has been intensely bringing censorship against Netflix into the agenda. So, it seems that debates on the withdraw of Netflix from the Turkish market will keep going.