🐱 ‘Cuties’ Boycott Is an Attack on Creative Freedom Fueled by Conservatives

France’s Directors Guild: ‘Cuties’ Boycott Is an Attack on Creative Freedom Fueled by Conservatives

The film’s French distributor is also standing by the controversial Netflix movie.

www.indiewire.com

L’ARP (La Société civile des Auteurs-Réalisateurs-Producteurs), France’s authors, directors, and producers guild, issued a statement September 15 defending the controversial release of the Netflixoriginal movie “Cuties.” The film has become a national talking point following its September 9 release over accusations it sexualizes child actors and promotes child pornography. L’ARP says the backlash over “Cuties” is a “grave attack on freedom of creation” being fueled by “the most conservative of Americans” (via Variety).

“At a time when the most conservative of Americans are calling for a boycott of the film ‘Cuties,’ we would like to support its director, Maimouna Doucouré, who won the Best Direction award at the Sundance Film Festival,” an official L’ARP statement reads. “This film, produced in France, then bought by Netflix for distribution in the United States, is emblematic of the indispensable freedom of expression that cinema, in all its diversity, needs to address disturbing topics, therefore it’s necessary for the exercise of democracy. We will always stand with those who support and disseminate works expressing this freedom.”

Outrage over “Cuties” erupted August 20 after Netflix debuted a poster for the film that featured its child stars making suggestive dance poses in revealing outfits. The poster led to accusations the film sexualizes its stars, when in reality “Cuties” openly criticizes the ways in which society puts pressure on young girls to be overtly sexual.


Netflix apologized for inappropriately marketing the film, but the September 9 streaming debut of “Cuties” resulted in more outrage. Senator Ted Cruz sent a letter to the Department of Justice over the weekend asking for Netflix to be investigated over the production and distribution of child pornography. David Grumbach is the CEO of Bac Films, the French finance and distribution company behind “Cuties,” and he tells Variety that it’s “scandalous to accuse us of promoting child pornography.”

“I think the protests are coming from the right wing — from a fringe of ultra conservatism,” Grumbach said. “But we’re grateful that Netflix [kept] the film [on its platform] and has supported it despite everything. We must be strong and united to protect the freedom of filmmakers. It’s not just for France, but also for Hollywood.”






Grumbach continued, “Think about Jodie Foster who was 12 when she played a prostitute in ‘Taxi Driver,’ or the movie ‘Little Miss Sunshine,’ or the countless other movies that would have been boycotted if we caved to this kind of conservatism. We wouldn’t be able to make movies about abortion, violence, etc. because to denounce something, you need to show it.”

“Cuties” filmmaker Maimouna Doucouré reacted to the backlash last week in an interview with Zora magazine, saying, “I realize that the people who have started this controversy haven’t yet seen the film. Netflix has apologized to the public and to myself. I’m hoping that these people will watch the movie now that it’s out. I’m eager to see their reaction when they realize that we’re both on the same side of this fight against young children’s hypersexualization.”

“Cuties” is now streaming on Netflix.

 

[Dread First]

Yes, because having hundreds of minors dance for you while auditioning for a movie about the sexual exploitation of children is a good look to have. There are no poor optics involved when this supposedly serious film is sexually marketed with posters featuring minors twerking. Who cares if the average Joe is more critical of sexualised children in a post-Epstein world? Damn it, this is a serious artistic project and their rights are being infringed! This is a gut-wrenching masterpiece, and it deserves to be watched by all!

Just for the record, I couldn't type any of that with a straight face. I thought we, as a collective society, learned from the realities behind filming shit like The Kite Runner and Slumdog Millionaire that dramatisations of serious subject matters often end up with disastrous consequences. If you really want to talk about the over-sexualisation and exploitation of minors, do it in a serious, non-fiction documentary setting with marketing that reflects the gravity of the subject matter. We've seen teen idols like Austin Jones that had an extensive history of soliciting lewd photos/videos from children while also getting arrested for possession of child pornography. TikTok is a well-established platform for predators due to its extremely young audience. I already mentioned it earlier, but we lived through the death of Jeffrey fucking Epstein. The world definitely needs a serious, unflinching look at the horrible realities that stem from over-sexualisation and exploitation of children. Cuties, Mignognes, or whatever the fuck it's called is not that fucking documentary and it shouldn't be considered one.

But no, apparently we have to give paedophile apologists a platform to speak on and sexual deviants their fucking masturbation material.

 

[Unpaid Emotional Labourer]

It's more proof of Horseshoe Theory, IMHO.

WHen you go so far to one end in defending a "favorited" group.... it's but a tiny leap across the crevasse to the other side where empowerment becomes abandonment, or even enslavement..... but you still think you're helping....

The left still loves to say that a conservative would eat shit if it meant the left would smell it.

But the left will support the sexual abuse and exploitation of children as long as it means the right objects to it. See this film, trooning out kids, Desmond and similar etc etc.

 

[The best and greatest]

In WWI the germans sort of brought it on themselves with unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram. The US was willing to sit on the sidelines until those brought us in and led us to throw the full weight of our financial sector behind the Entente.

Nope. You actually can't blame the germans for thier sub warfare when British/American weapons/warsupplies are knowingly being shipped on civilian passanger ships. Who's the real asshole here? The guy who destroys an enemy war asset with civilian collateral or the guy who knowingly hides his war assets behind a human shield?

 

[Meat Target]

Nope. You actually can't blame the germans for thier sub warfare when British/American weapons/warsupplies are knowingly being shipped on civilian passanger ships. Who's the real asshole here? The guy who destroy's an enemy war asset with civilian collateral or the guy who knowingly hides his war assets behind a human shield?

On top of that:

1. the German embassy in Washington published warnings in American newspapers, saying that ships flying the British flag were fair game for German U-boats;
2. Winston Churchill, then Britain's top naval official, wanted America in the war.
3. J.P. Morgan had invested a ton of money into Britain and France

 

[TheRedChair]

Yes, because having hundreds of minors dance for you while auditioning for a movie about the sexual exploitation of children is a good look to have. There are no poor optics involved when this supposedly serious film is sexually marketed with posters featuring minors twerking. Who cares if the average Joe is more critical of sexualised children in a post-Epstein world? Damn it, this is a serious artistic project and their rights are being infringed! This is a gut-wrenching masterpiece, and it deserves to be watched by all!

Just for the record, I couldn't type any of that with a straight face. I thought we, as a collective society, learned from the realities behind filming shit like The Kite Runner and Slumdog Millionaire that dramatisations of serious subject matters often end up with disastrous consequences. If you really want to talk about the over-sexualisation and exploitation of minors, do it in a serious, non-fiction documentary setting with marketing that reflects the gravity of the subject matter. We've seen teen idols like Austin Jones that had an extensive history of soliciting lewd photos/videos from children while also getting arrested for possession of child pornography. TikTok is a well-established platform for predators due to its extremely young audience. I already mentioned it earlier, but we lived through the death of Jeffrey fucking Epstein. The world definitely needs a serious, unflinching look at the horrible realities that stem from over-sexualisation and exploitation of children. Cuties, Mignognes, or whatever the fuck it's called is not that fucking documentary and it shouldn't be considered one.

But no, apparently we have to give paedophile apologists a platform to speak on and sexual deviants their fucking masturbation material.

There is a pattern that I don't like.

There was a famous news caster. His Name is Bernie Ward. He Worked for KGO Radio. A Politico Talk show host. At his height he was known as "The Lion of Liberalism". A Democratic Darling.

In 2007 he was charged with Receiving Child pornography and was convicted in 2008.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Ward

What am I getting at? There are a lot of sick fucks out there defending this show. Such as "The View" as well as several media outlets are trying to down play the serious of this matter... Almost as if to protect Netflicks of any wrong doing.

They all lean to the left and they lean to the left hard.

Cuties could have been done in a documentary format instead of this creepy pasta of a show. All it does is show is how perverse Holly wood and the media has become.

 

[TowinKarz]

The left still loves to say that a conservative would eat shit if it meant the left would smell it.

But the left will support the sexual abuse and exploitation of children as long as it means the right objects to it. See this film, trooning out kids, Desmond and similar etc etc.

They still think its the 90s and any right wing complaints about culture are petty moralism, parochial and hypocritical... they knee jerk attempt to shut down the debate out of habit that this is just "typical religious right panicking" more than they actually want the degeneracy alleged, and dont walk it back when it tirns out to be legit revulsion by average people because the right is ALWAYS wrong.

 

[Absolutego]

They still think its the 90s and any right wing complaints about culture are petty moralism, parochial and hypocritical... they knee jerk attempt to shut down the debate out of habit that this is just "typical religious right panicking" more than they actually want the degeneracy alleged, and dont walk it back when it tirns out to be legit revulsion by average people because the right is ALWAYS wrong.

Yeah millennials in general, and progressive media in particular, are going to have a similar myopic obsession with preventing the Evangelical Right from ever rising again that baby boomers have with Russia. Would that the boomers had managed to understand the Cold War on a deep enough level that their chosen enemy would be communists instead, but alas.

 

[frozenrunner]

The Cuties thing is an overblown moral panic from a side of the aisle that should know better.

That said: boycotts are attacks now?

 

[Secret Asshole]

Now what if it was the same movie but animated in Japan?

Honestly, I can't even think of an equivalent. Maybe idol animes, but that's more on singing and dressing up than twerking. So I don't even think Japan would do this. Besides their own equivalent of creepy child shit. Maybe panty shots? Though those are really less common nowadays. I don't know, I don't watch idol shows. And most of the girls are like 16-17 anyway. Not 11. But its moot, since there really isn't a cuties equivalent in Japan unless you're looking for straight up hentai.

There was Boku no Pico and that one manga which had a Baby Fuck moment by some Chad American sterotype.

Boku no Pico is hentai and a meme in the anime community to scare off normies when someone gets recommended an anime to watch. It isn't regular anime nor is it taken remotely seriously or does anyone defend it.

 

[thismanlies]

Now what if it was the same movie but animated in Japan?

You see a turd in the toilet, it’s nothing new. You see a turd in the kitchen, you know something’s wrong.

 

[Racist Trash]

A few brave souls on the farms have posted their full reviews in the main thread in multimedia.

They should get a nonce badge to honour their sacrifices.

 

[frozenrunner]

You see a turd in the toilet, it’s nothing new. You see a turd in the kitchen, you know something’s wrong.

Unless you're in Germany.

 

[Getting tard comed]

They still think its the 90s and any right wing complaints about culture are petty moralism, parochial and hypocritical... they knee jerk attempt to shut down the debate out of habit that this is just "typical religious right panicking" more than they actually want the degeneracy alleged, and dont walk it back when it tirns out to be legit revulsion by average people because the right is ALWAYS wrong.

Reminds me of some kiwis ngl.

 

[Snekposter]

On top of that:

1. the German embassy in Washington published warnings in American newspapers, saying that ships flying the British flag were fair game for German U-boats;
2. Winston Churchill, then Britain's top naval official, wanted America in the war.
3. J.P. Morgan had invested a ton of money into Britain and France

Ver archivo adjunto 1604639

Like the rest of WW1, things weren't quite that simple. After the Lusitania got sunk, the sub campaign got paused thanks US diplomatic protests. And then in 1917 what was at first a campaign restricted to the UK and allied nations was restarted and expanded to all shipping, the Kaiser being told by his advisors that despite it being a guaranteed way to bring the US into the war, they would starve out the British before we could assemble troops. His Chancellor opposed it, everyone else was in favor. They also started the gassing at the Second Battle of Ypres in violation of the Hague Convention (which everyone had signed and gave a damn about back then), kickstarting some of the worst horrors the world has ever seen. Of course, if that wasn't enough, the German anti-partisan "tactics" the SS used during WW2 were first set up by the Germans in Belgium and occupied France, with plenty of show trials, summary executions, and mass reprisals, some of which was preemptive. They also did a lovely job pissing off the previously anti-English Dutch who were quite justifiably mad over the Second Boer War with the Wire of Death. So yeah, the Brits did a lot of skeevy shit, but the Germans could not and cannot resist pissing off the entire world when they go to war.

 

[AutoGuyNoFile]

Now what if it was the same movie but animated in Japan?

Then no actual children would have been exploited so if you ask me it would be fine. I know that's a point of contention for some but that's where I stand on the matter.

And to anyone wondering what the anime equivalent of Cuties is, the answer is Kodomo no Jikan which was also made by a woman and is supposedly about her own experiences...but that one actually DID get cancelled for the most part.

 

[CatParty]

Then no actual children would have been exploited so if you ask me it would be fine. I know that's a point of contention for some but that's where I stand on the matter.

Drawn cp is still cp

 

[moocow]

And I don't see how stuff like this is supposed to help them. They push some stuff so hard then attack any criticism of it as right wing. There comes a point after all the white bashing, and drag kids, and twerking 11 year olds that people just say "If being against child exploitation/white bashing/etc. is right wing, then fuck it, I guess I'm a right winger."

Seems like a counterproductive tactic.

There's a reason they're so bold and out-in-the-open with it. They genuinely think not enough people will actually turn against them for all this shit. They're counting on apathy to tip the scales leftward.

 

[AutoGuyNoFile]

Drawn cp is still cp

Oh lord do we really wanna start this argument? On paper it seems so easy and obvious but in practice this gets really dangerous. I'm gonna do my best to keep this short.

In New Zealand they banned Puni Puni Poemy as being CP. It's not. It's basically the sequel to Excel Saga and is a goofy madcap comedy. Does it feature naked underage characters for a few seconds? Arguably (the main character is supposed to be underage but has trouble staying in character, there's a family bath scene but you don't see much, and at one point the youngest character imagines herself as a sexy naked and significantly older lady). But there is no sex in it (aside from Nabeshin and the main character's mom in the dark as a joke), the fanservice is arguable (it's pretty much all done as a joke), and it is all hand drawn and did not involve actual children...and yet you could be arrested and go to jail for watching it in New Zealand. You'd be branded a pedophile...for watching a silly comedy anime.

Recently, Amazon randomly forced some guy to take all the Hatsune Miku figures off his Amazon store for "promoting pedophilia". These were not lewd figures. They were regular ass Hatsune Miku figures. Yet somehow this is promoting pedophilia.

And THEN we have people on Twitter arguing that Persona 5 is promoting pedophilia because most of the characters are in High School and it has dating sim elements. Again, no sex, not particularly lewd...but totally CP. And of course lets not forget about 21 year old college student Uzaki-chan who people were claiming supported pedophilia...before turning around and defending Cuties.

If we're willing to streach the definition of CP this far, then anything can be CP. We can ban Street Fighter Alpha 2 & 3 because of Sakura's panties. We gotta burn all the copies of Rival Schools and Project Justice!

Sometimes at conventions I hear about various figures in the community getting arrested for having CP when moving between the US and Canada...but I hear tell Canada is much like New Zealand so I don't know if it was actual CP or a poster of Sakura in a swimsuit. The water is muddied BADLY and I do not like this.

Gonna make an autistic as fuck prediction: If the normalization of CP continues, then a buncha pedos are gonna form an anti-pedophilia organization. People will complain as they see child sexual abuse cases rise...and they'll just redirect it all at anime and videogames. Blame Japan. Bring back region locking. Arrest people for importing videogames. And you won't know because they won't be arrested for "importing videogames", no they'll be arrested for "trafficking CP". And the whole thing will be a smoke screen to hide the actual kiddie fuckers. To PRETEND like people are doing something about the problem when they're just attacking a scapegoat over and over and over again. Remember to donate to Anti-Ped: We're Not* Fucking Your Kids, We Promise*!

I know that's a bit of a streach but we've seen some wild shit this year and are getting dangerously close to this scenario (see also: Uzaki-chan VS Cuties). It is because of this that it is VITAL that we differentiate between drawn CP and live CP at the very least.

 

[JosephStalin]

Eat the bugs, screw the kids, etc. etc, or you're raciss.


It's all so tiresome.

When everything and everyone is considered "racist", then nothing and no one can actually be racist.

I don't give a flying fuck how many awards that movie got. Consider it exploitative of children. Just one more reason to be happy I don't have Netflix.

If you believe that movie is so great, how would you feel if it was one of YOUR little daughters/granddaughters exploited in that fashion? Just saying.


Moocow - There's a reason they're so bold and out-in-the-open with it. They genuinely think not enough people will actually turn against them for all this shit. They're counting on apathy to tip the scales leftward.

Believe they are wrong. These people forget everyone doesn't see things the same way they do. Would like to know how many of these people have little daughters. Not many, if any, I'd guess. So they have no fucking clue.

 

[Orion Balls]

I am of the belief that anything should be free to speak about, even through film. If Cuties makes people uncomfortable... Wasn't that the point of the film? That certain societies (cheer, dance squad, gymnastics, pageants) normalize these things to the point where it's no longer uncomfortable to the parents and athletes/competitors? The film SHOULD make people feel weird. Now, if there was assault and weird things happening to the underage actors while they were filming, that's a different story. But watching Cuties was unsettling. I thought that was the point.