Thread by @briphwilson, So while everyone else was watching the debate I decided to watch [...]

So while everyone else was watching the debate I decided to watch the controversial film Cuties. I saw tweets abt why ppl would never watch the film long before I even watched the trailer but as soon I did, I added it to my list. This thread is why you should watch it. Read on
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Lemme start by saying that Netflix bought Cuties before it’s premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and they are the only ones you should be mad at for choosing to market the film in the way that they did. Their poster screams sexualization of children.
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Compare that to the Sundance poster and you already have two completely different reactions. The Netflix trailer and description focus on this raunchy theme that is explored in the movie but the movie is SO MUCH MORE.
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RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS:
Cuties exposed me to a world of traditions I have only ever read about or seen on film through the eyes of an 11 year old girl in a new neighbourhood. I am not Senegalese, French or Muslim but I know what it was like being 12 and having my
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life completely turned upside down and I know how it plays on the minds of young girls to try to fit in. I won’t speak much on this topic cause as I mentioned the details of the world explored are not familiar to me BUT the rawness in which it is done is enough to draw you in.
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CHILD SEXUALIZATION:
Again I completely blame Netflix for tarnishing the integrity of the movie both my their poster and by the trailer. Yes, definitely, child sexualization is a HUGE part of the movie but that’s what makes you all so uncomfortable to sit and watch it.
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At no point is this sexualization praised. It raises extremely valid points about the current hyper-sexualized world we live in and how accessible this is to our children. It raises points about how busy we are fighting to survive that we miss the cries for help.
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Anybody who knows me knows I genuinely don’t listen to crude music by choice. It plays in social settings and I get to know some of it and I don’t know the lyrics to shit. I play my classical music, my easy listening and my love songs. Yes I know a crude song or two but
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I don’t promote it. It is actually just really disgusting to me and it bothers me that so much of it is just THERE for children to listen to. It doesn’t make me any better than anyone cause I’m sure you can listen to crude music all day and make way better life choices than me!
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But the more we promote these messages and praise these artistes and the way they dance, dress, curse etc is the more we entice our impressionable youth to praise and embody them. Think of some pics and videos y’all share and make viral, is that what you want for children?
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Cuties is basically highlighting how much of the problem we all are and not the children. There’s so many moments that triggered a physical reaction of disgust to see children carry themselves like this but it’s that discomfort that some of you need to experience.
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PROBLEMS IN DANCE CULTURE:
For anyone reading who doesn’t know me, I run a dance school and recently I’ve been entering our students in dance competitions. Ask any student or parent who has worked with me, I don’t promote short shorts, I don’t promote sexy routines,
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I don’t promote itty bitty tops and I would put you out my class if you showed up in anything like it. Cuties highlights A LOT of the things wrong with the dance community and how many choreographers and competitions promote the sexualization of the students involved.
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The competition scene is a defining moment in the show’s development and a direct stare in the eyes of those in the dance community who continue to condone this type of behavior. I take pride in raising students who can perform at the highest levels without resorting to sex!
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Even when my students sometimes dress after class to go home or out with friends or family I am bold enough to comment on their attire and request that certain outfits are not worn on my watch. Leave that for your mother and father house, not mine!!
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ADOLESCENCE AND GROWTH:
Like every other show focusing on the minds of adolescent girls, we see the drama, we see the petty fights, we see that there’s something the girl is experiencing and her need to rebel and find a place to fit in. Dancing was that place.
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But more so, as we see everyday in any sport or extra curricular activity, the fitting in becomes less about the activity and more about the ppl you can relate to who are also involved in that activity. Sometimes we mess up and we lose that place and those ppl.
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Cuties is just a really necessary but uncomfortable way of looking around and figuring out how you contribute to the decisions children make and how you can adjust that. I was shocked last week when my little cousins said they never heard me curse in front of them.
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I does REAL cuss lol everyone knows this. They have been around a lot of cursing but it didn’t come from me (honestly I dunno ). All I’m saying is, you need to make yourself feel that discomfort and watch #cutiesnetflix before you go boycotting and bashing a great film.
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I’m glad I didn’t take on the tweets and I’m glad I felt my body cringe at some of what I saw. Some of it might be far fetched but then again...maybe not. Don’t take my word for it, watch it yourself.
#cutiesnetflix
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BONUS: just ignore the voice overs and you’ll be fine lol

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