Netflix has removed a promotional image for the film Cuties after an online backlash calling on the streaming service to drop the title.
The award-winning drama tells the story of an 11-year-old traditional Senegalese Muslim household who joins a dance group. It was written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, who won the directing award in the dramatic world cinema category at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
The image, combined with the movie’s title and suggestive dance sequences, led to a 25,000-name petition. But the director insists her story highlights the dangers how social media can push girls into imitating the sexualised imagery found online without comprehending the dangers.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Netflix said it was “deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork”.
The streamer said the original poster was not an accurate representation of the film.
