Cuties 7

In the Cité des Fougères, a neighborhood in Paris, 11-year-old Amy feels increasingly distant from her family. To escape her melancholic mother and the mundane realities of her life, she joins a group of street dancers led by the charismatic Angelica. As Amy tries to fit in with the group, she begins to explore her own femininity and sexuality, blurring the lines between childhood innocence and burgeoning adolescence.

Cuties received a highly polarized response upon its release. While some critics praised its bold exploration of themes like female adolescence, hypersexualization, and the impact of social media, others condemned its depiction of young girls, deeming it exploitative and inappropriate. The film sparked significant debate regarding artistic intent versus public perception, particularly concerning the age of its lead actors and the provocative nature of some scenes.

• Praised for its unique perspective on female adolescence and the pressures of social media.

• Criticized by some for its potentially exploitative portrayal of young girls.

• Hailed by others as a timely and provocative examination of modern youth culture.

Google audience: Audience reviews are largely negative, with many viewers expressing discomfort with the film's themes and visual presentation. Common criticisms include the sexualization of minors and a perceived lack of clarity in its narrative message, while a minority defend its artistic merit and intention to spark discussion.

Won the Directing Award for World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Director Maimouna Doucouré was inspired to make the film after noticing the hypersexualized behavior of young girls in her neighborhood, leading her to explore the societal influences contributing to this phenomenon.