Cuties (2020) -
I wasn't eager to watch this film given the controversy it got, but I'm still happy I gave it a fair chance. With that being said, while I didn't hate this film, its point ultimately fell apart for me. Firstly, no, this film isn't child pornography by any means. The film clearly has different intentions in mind. I also think the type of content shown in this film can function in the right context, in the same way that extreme portrayals of violence and racism in media can be used to create a point on both subjects. Rather, where this film falls apart for me is that the young actresses don't have the ability to properly consent to being portrayed the way they are in this film, which includes wearing revealing clothing, dancing in sexually suggestive ways, and showing close-ups of them twerking. While I appreciate the point Doucouré was making with this film, I think it would've worked better if the content was either shown in a different medium or if the film took the route that many high school sex dramas/comedies take by having adults play younger kids (though, the latter suggestion would've obviously been hard to pull off since the girls in this film are supposed to be 11, as opposed to 16 or 17). I will give the film some credit in a few areas though. Fathia Youssouf does a great job as Amy, a naïve young girl slowly falling out of touch with her religion as she spends time with Angelica and her friends, all the while being unaware of the consequences her actions have on her and other people. There's also some technically impressive moments here and there, like the opening and closing shots. I also thought there were some non-problematic disturbing scenes in the film here and there, like a scene where Amy walks in on her friends watching porn in a bathroom or when Amy's asked to photograph a random boy's penis. I wouldn't say these aspects outweigh my issues with the film and I wouldn't say I enjoyed watching it, but I do think there's a fair share of compelling bits mixed in with the problematic bits which made it easier to stomach. Anyways: Right intentions, wrong execution of them.
Next Up: Miracle Mile
I wasn't eager to watch this film given the controversy it got, but I'm still happy I gave it a fair chance. With that being said, while I didn't hate this film, its point ultimately fell apart for me. Firstly, no, this film isn't child pornography by any means. The film clearly has different intentions in mind. I also think the type of content shown in this film can function in the right context, in the same way that extreme portrayals of violence and racism in media can be used to create a point on both subjects. Rather, where this film falls apart for me is that the young actresses don't have the ability to properly consent to being portrayed the way they are in this film, which includes wearing revealing clothing, dancing in sexually suggestive ways, and showing close-ups of them twerking. While I appreciate the point Doucouré was making with this film, I think it would've worked better if the content was either shown in a different medium or if the film took the route that many high school sex dramas/comedies take by having adults play younger kids (though, the latter suggestion would've obviously been hard to pull off since the girls in this film are supposed to be 11, as opposed to 16 or 17). I will give the film some credit in a few areas though. Fathia Youssouf does a great job as Amy, a naïve young girl slowly falling out of touch with her religion as she spends time with Angelica and her friends, all the while being unaware of the consequences her actions have on her and other people. There's also some technically impressive moments here and there, like the opening and closing shots. I also thought there were some non-problematic disturbing scenes in the film here and there, like a scene where Amy walks in on her friends watching porn in a bathroom or when Amy's asked to photograph a random boy's penis. I wouldn't say these aspects outweigh my issues with the film and I wouldn't say I enjoyed watching it, but I do think there's a fair share of compelling bits mixed in with the problematic bits which made it easier to stomach. Anyways: Right intentions, wrong execution of them.
Next Up: Miracle Mile