*Netflix is responding to backlash surrounding its controversial French film “Cuties.”
The hashtag #CancelNetflix began trending on social media this week after folks who have not watched the film accused the streamer, and director Maïmouna Doucouré, of sexualizing young girls.
Doucouré previously revealed that she has been receiving death threats over the film. In a recent interview, she noted that she intended to make a provocative social commentary about the impact of sexualized imagery on young girls.
The coming-of-age story follows Amy (Fathia Youssouf), an 11-year-old girl from Senegal who joins a dance team as an escape from her and conservative Muslim family.
Amid the backlash, Netflix issued a statement defending the movie.
READ MORE: ‘Cuties’ Director Maïmouna Doucouré on Receiving Death Threats Over Netflix Poster Backlash
“Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children,” a Netflix spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement. “It’s an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we’d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.”
“Cuties” has been praised by film critics. It won the world cinema dramatic directing award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
Last month, Netflix issued a public apology to Doucouré following backlash over the U.S. marketing poster for the film, which shows the young stars scantily dressed and striking suggestive dance poses.
“We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance,” Netflix tweeted on Aug. 20. “We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
“Cuties” is now streaming on Netflix.
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