Netflix takes down Cuties poster, apologises for sexualising kids

A poster of a French film titled Cuties led to a severe backlash online. The poster had a bunch of 11-year olds in cheerleaders costume, which has been slammed for being inappropriate and sexualising kids. 

An online petition demanding the removal of the poster has been signed by about 49000 people, according to the Los Angeles Times. In response, Netflix has taken down the poster and the description and has issued an apology. 

The statement read, "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. We’ve now updated the pictures and description." 

The streaming giant will go ahead and release the film on September 9 as per the initial plans. 

Cuties, directed by Maimouna Doucoure, premiered on Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and won the jury prize for Best Direction. It is a coming-of-age movie about an 11-year Senegalese Muslim girl from a conservative background and her confrontation with modern culture.