‘Cuties’ Director Maimouna Doucoure Addresses Controversy Surrounding Netflix Film - Rolling Stone

“We, as adults, have not given children the tools to grow up healthy in our society,” filmmaker says.

Cuties director Maïmouna Doucouré defended her film, and reaffirmed her intent and the film’s meaning, in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

As Doucouré explains Cuties — originally released in France as Mignonnes —tells the story of an 11-year-old girl, Amy, who (like Doucouré), emigrated to France from Senegal.

“We, as adults, have not given children the tools to grow up healthy in our society,” Doucouré wrote.

Even though the film attempts to address and critique the way young children are sexualized, it ended up being accused of sexualizing children

In her op-ed, Doucouré explained how Cuties was inspired by countless conversations she had with young girls about how confusing puberty can be and the way social media can exacerbate the pressures they place on themselves

“[T]hat’s why I made Cuties: to start a debate about the sexualization of children in society today so that maybe — just maybe — politicians, artists, parents and educators could work together to make a change that will benefit children for generations to come,” Doucouré said