Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos recently defended the controversial film “Cuties” that was shown on his network after a Texas grand jury indicted the company for running the movie that highlights the experiences of four 11-year-old girls who belonged to a French “sensual dance” group.
Sarandos spoke at the virtual Mipcom market on Monday and said the film was simply “misunderstood” and also said that “it’s a little surprising in 2020 America that we’re having a discussion about censoring storytelling.”
“It’s a film that is very misunderstood with some audiences, uniquely within the United States,” Sarandos added. “The film speaks for itself. It’s a very personal coming of age film, it’s the director’s story and the film has obviously played very well at Sundance without any of this controversy and played in theaters throughout Europe without any of this controversy.”
The French film, rated TV-MA in the United States (for mature audiences only) has won awards in France but received immediate criticism once it debuted on Netflix. It was said to over-sexualize young children, and viewers/subscribers immediately began a petition called “Cancel Netflix Subscription,” with the hashtag #CancelNetflix trending quickly on social media.
Soon after, a Texas grand jury indicted Netflix on charges that they “knowingly promote[d] visual material which depicts the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 years of age at the time the visual material was created, which appeals to the prurient interest in sex, and has no serious, literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”
The indictment specifically mentions the film “Cuties,” which is also known by its French title “Mignonnes.” The film, which was released on Netflix on September 9, is the story of an 11-year-old Muslim girl living in Paris who joins a dance crew. The controversial film also premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
And still…Netflix has stood by its decision to stream the film and have barely even offered an apology for using “inappropriate artwork” to promote the project. In fact, a Netflix spokesperson had the audacity to claim that by streaming a film about the sexualization of young children, the company was working to combat the sexualization of young children.
“Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children. It’s an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we’d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie. This charge is without merit and we stand by the film,” the spokesperson said.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz is among several Washington lawmakers who have called for a Department of Justice investigation of Netflix due to the broadcast of the film.
“The video streaming service and content-producer Netflix is currently hosting a film entitled ‘Cuties’ that sexualizes young girls, including through dance scenes that simulate sexual activities and a scene exposing a minor’s bare breast,” Cruz said in a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr.
Featured Image by Daniel Benavides
so glad I left Netflix 2 years ago, they have only gotten worse.
VOTE TRUMP/PENCE 2020 GET RID OF PERVERTS
I have seen quite a few French movies and what they consider to be normal nudity is not the same as here in the US. Sarandon needs to understand that not all cultures are the same and because it’s right or descent in one country does not mean it will be right in ours. It’s just like China that still uses slaves to work, or oppressed Christianity. Until the people decide to make it legal, but not now and not in our generation.
This is one of the reasons girls have no respect for themselves, they are constantly bombarded with these kinds of images, they have no decent moral female roll models in which to emulate, from movies like these, to singers dancing on a stripper pole, on national tv. It is up to us to give the decent roll models.
Its not even about nudity. Its about sexual exploitation of young children. It doesn’t teach moral lessons. It simply titillates the pedophiles and hedonists. We are influenced by what we see. I hope children don’t see it.
Anyone who has seen this disturbing exploitation of young girls will continue to speak out and warn parents of Netflix. I do not have cable. I only steamed Netflix, but no longer. I cancelled Netflix and will continue to speak against them until they clean up their act!
I canceled Netflix because of this film. I hope they go out of business and the CEO goes to prison
It is the most shameless ppl the ones showing our kids what only adults should do, I’ve a niece that you have to be careful when you go to the bathroom as she forsefully try to get in at the same time and she’s only 7 but the reason was that one adult at the house was letting her watch soap operas from el Salvador that you can see is mostly porno once I catch mother son and sons girlfriend watching that and I had to yell at them as the little girl was there watching too, now the little girl is been cought with other children tottaly naked for that I blame ppl like Netflix for that movie
The lack of morality in this world is sad. Netflix is empowering child porn and should be stopped. I never watched Netflix and won’t go to the filth Hollywood puts out, they are anti-american and anti-christianity. No wonder the world is falling apart.
Promoting and broadcasting pedophilia should earn him death sentence.
LOCK UP this PERVERT in accordance with local and FEDERAL Statutes . . . This will send a STRONG message to those who are “smart” (?) enough NOT to defend this REPREHENSIBLE Abomination. One DISGUSTED Patriot. Team Trump and his allies 2020.
This film is clearly kiddie porn. No matter how the CEO tries to defend it as art or whatever, the girls who are acting in this piece of trash are being exploited. There is no denying that. I have not seen the film, but the clips of these 11 year-olds acting like very sexual strippers is evidence enough.
If I told you what I think about this perversion and sexualizing of our young children,I would be censored.Netflix needs to be removed and prohibited from viewership in the U.S. on all devises.All those at Netflix that allowed this perversion,need to be arrested,charged with sexual exploitation of minors,tried,convicted,and imprisoned for the maximum time and fine allowable by law.
Europe is fine with child pornography so that means that America is out of step? Europeans also have largely lost their belief in God so does that mean we should too? Stop looking to the world for your sense of right and wrong and try turning to God.
Of course the CEO of Netflix will call this filth”art”.But anyone with morals KNOW what it truly is: kiddie porn, plain and simple!!! But since Netflix is a Leftist company, so what do you expect?
Since Trump has become our sitting president, because of the Democrats hatred of him and their actions against him, I hardly recognize our great nation any longer!Nothing is sacred.We are so progressive, right?? WRONG. Children are the targets now.They are shamed for TRYING to be children now a days. In magazines, movies, singing artists and etc. have promoted sexual actions and forcing young impressionable youths to look, act and dress very provocatively ! ! Something their undeveloped minds can’t comprehend is wrong.Children will mimic their peers and because they do not like being viewed as “different”..And this movie is proving my point…
Even though my children are grown and I have no grandchildren,my heart hurts for all the parents and grandparents that have to face this challenge today.
I cancelled Netflix as soon as I saw the headlines of this movie. It is totally disgusting and repulsive. Young people being used for sexual and financial gratification. My question as well is, “where are the parents for these children? Lawmakers! Something needs to be done!!!
I just have one question. If someone could be arrested for having that type of material on their computer – how is it that it can be broadcasted? They are trying to legalize pedophilia in California maybe this is just the beginning of how they will “bend” (indoctrinate) peoples – especially the younger ones – minds towards acceptance.
THIS MOVIE IS X-RATED!!! It’s offensive and hurtful. TAKE IT OFF THE AIRWAVES!!! Are you INSANE ??? NO, you’re HORRIBLY SICK!!!
this kind of trash needs to be stopped, and the ones putting it out should serve time
I am very happy I cancelled Netflix and will never return. Ted Sarandos is a disgrace and should be charged with selling child porn , and sent to prison for pedophilia. The Network should be shut down.
WOW! TOTALLY UNEDUCATED AMERICANS! I see lots of great comments here against this guy and ‘Cuties’. BUT,
Look at the FACTS!
1) This is part of the DNC/Communist agenda to “normalize” child sexual abuse in America!
2) Gov. of CA, Gavin Newsom (D) (nephew to Nancy Pelosi, FYI), just past a law in September that ‘eases’ restrictions on child sexual abuse of boys and girls 14 years old or older, as long as the ‘offender’ is less than 10 years older. And these ‘offenders’ are NOT REQUIRED to register on the national registry of sex offenders.
3) Senator Scott Weiner of CA (D) supported this avidly. He is a huge supporter of rights for p’s (child sex offenders) and promotes that those people are ‘normal’ and should be allowed to adopt children, and also supports Kamala Harris.
4) Michelle and Barak O’Bama(D) (THE GREAT TRAITOR) are being paid MILLIONS to sit on the board of directors for Netflix! “To help promote a more ‘progressive’ roster of movies and shows! (more show like “Cuties” perhaps)
4) CHINA JOE BIDEN just caused a media blowout yesterday, saying that an 8 year old child is capable of deciding for themselves if they want to ‘change genders’!!!
How many more ‘coincidences’ are YOU going to ignore, before you start talking about WHY this BS is happening in this country? And if I’ve made you mad, at least you are THINKINIG ABOUT THIS! If you agree with me, SPREAD THIS!
I’ll say the truth over and over to you kids (I’m 60) until you think critically about what you see! Get EDUCATED, you CHILDREN! TRUMP2020!
A sexual pervert is a sexual pervert whether one is a ceo or homo, both or any other type of deviant minded person. Especially when it involves children.
“…coming of age..” They are FAR TOO YOUNG to be considered “coming of age.”
Of course the standard fall-back is his ‘acceptance of globalism’ as an acceptable standard. Frankly it is a disappointing retort. ‘Stupid’ would have been terrific! Globalism might been OK within those ‘shithole’ member states of the United Nations, and California!.
If you think this movie is bad what about late term abortions’ and all of the other God hating immoral acts promoted by the Democratic Party. There is much to dislike about Republican’s policies but the Democrats have become so evil they leave any God fearing person no choice about how they must vote.
Yes, I agree with all of the above on this disgusting movie and I have come to the conclusion that just about every movie in here is filled with the “F” word and if you look, you will see how many movies I started to watch and then cancelled because of the filthy curse words….It vexes my soul and so I’m done with it too. I will watch better things on youtube and my own TV for free.
I also cancelled Netflix because of the show cuties. Why should he get richer on my money while doing something I believe to be illegal, abhorrent, and immoral. Hollywood has desensitized us to killing, they’re trying to desensitize us to child abuse, pretty soon anything you want to do will be ok. No people have to take a stand. You are either for child abuse and porn or you are against it. Pretty simple.
A lot of comments from ppl who havent watched it. I saw it, grandmother of three girls. Netflix is trying to expose the problem, which is their mothers, allowing these entire audiences of perverts there. Don’t shoot the messenger, though why am I suprised when everyone is pointing a finger at someone and calling them the devil.
STFU, Rain. Now go back to giving free blowj*bs to your grandfather and homeless neighbors, you braindead C*NT B*TCH. Don’t tell me… you are an incompetent DUMBocrat… just as I thought.
Well, it won’t be long before pedophiles begin to demand their ‘rights’. It has always been said that if we even begin to justify one perversion, we must eventually justify them all. It is by God’s amazing mercy that he hasn’t destroyed this nation already, since our transgressions far succeed the transgressions of Sodom and Gomorrah.
I can not understand the outrage. We have no problem with the same basic crap on TV. Raymond is always hopping in bed to have SEX. A lot of the viewing with child “stars” have sexual language and hits of sex, we have not had scrams ay Miley Cyrus with nudies, Movies show very graphic sexual scenes and violence. Just because they have ratings of X, PG, R, etc does not mean that children and adults do not see it, when it hits the TVs. We should wake up and not use Netflix, which I do not have as the scapegoat. I am not a prude or a womanizer.I just am also disturbed when I see on commercials the way our music industry shows women “slaves” being shown in sexy dances which our children view, making the rap singers into multimillionaires.