Cuties

Cuties (French: Mignonnes) is a 2020 French coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré in her feature directorial debut.

Cuties (French: Mignonnes) is a 2020 French coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré in her feature directorial debut. It follows 11-year-old Amy, a Senegalese-French girl in Paris, as she navigates family expectations, social media, and a dance crew called the Cuties. The film premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was later distributed by Netflix.

Plot

The film follows Amy, an 11-year-old Senegalese-French girl living in Paris, as she becomes fascinated by a group of school dancers and begins changing her behaviour and appearance to fit in. Her growing attachment to the group creates conflict with her family and community.

Production and release

Cuties was written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré and marked her feature directorial debut. It premiered at Sundance in 2020 and was released by Netflix later that year.

Themes and reception

The film examines girlhood, peer pressure, social media, and the tension between personal expression and family or religious expectations. It received attention for its critical approach to the sexualization of young girls, but also drew substantial criticism and public controversy.

Controversy

Cuties drew backlash largely over its promotional materials and some scenes involving child performers in suggestive choreography. The controversy led to widespread media coverage and debate about censorship, exploitation, and the film’s intent.