Saya Chou

I feel that the people who are attacking the movie should watch it first and understand the context the movie is set in. It's a realistic depiction of a pre-teen girl wanting to fit in, wanting to rebel, wanting to find her own identity; wanting to be somebody. I remember being 11 not too long ago. I remember trying out miniskirts and crop tops were becoming a thing. Even so, things weren't so explicit and sexualized back then. But now with the proliferation of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and so many children getting smartphone and access to the internet at increasingly younger ages--- the media and messages we see Amy exposed to reflects what 11 year olds are consuming online, in 2020. Don't we remember being young and excitable and impressionable, wanting to discover our own identity? Maybe if you didn't want all that back when you were a preteen, wouldn't you think that was how the other kids were like? Of course, should Netflix have done better? Yes, they should have chosen a more appropriate cover for the movie listing, so as to avoid giving the wrong impression of the movie, which would have prevented the ongoing uproar now. And granted, no matter what we do, and no matter how well-intentioned the movie is, there will be paedophiles, or those who seek out content with minors, that will view the movie for the dance scenes. This is very unfortunate. There are just things that will always be beyond our control. Most of the public have demonized the movie without taking the time to watch it and ponder on the context and settings and point of view the movie is set from. I thought the movie was rather poignant. It realistically showed the internal and external struggles of a young girl watching her mother trying to cope with her husband's new wife while starting afresh in a new place and having to take care of her younger siblings at the same time. She finds solace hanging out with the group of girls at school (granted, are rather wild) who have the greatest fun in dance. She takes on dance probably not because she truly loves it, but because it is the thing that connects her to the group, and is something new that is being introduced to her. Please watch the movie before you impart judgement. Please don't search for evil where there is none. I thought quite poorly of Cuties due to all the hate surrounding it, until I watched the commentary from Aba and Preach on YouTube which gave me a new perspective and made me watch the movie. This movie is part-realistic, part-cautionary tale. I don't think it glorifies the sexualization of minors. Do you? In fact, it only makes you more aware of how dangerous internet cultures and influences are to minors, especially when there is a lack of parental guidance and presence. For those who feel that the modern issues a developing preteen faces could have been addressed in a different way, please let us know how.