Cuties in the Middle

 My father used to tell me “There are always two sides to a story and somewhere in the middle is truth.” Do you remember the film “Precious?” To refresh your memory it was a film that came out in 2009. The synopsis of the film from the IMDB is as follows; “In New York City's Harlem circa 1987, an overweight,abused, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.”

I remember there being a viewing party for Precious in David commons when I was studying at CUNE. I remember thinking and feeling jolted for the content of the film. I watched “Cuties” last night, probably because many are yelling in indignation about the film. When I hear “Don’t do that” I automatically have to do it. I must say, I didn’t feel as jolted for the the content of Cuties as I did for Precious or for other films that were supposed to be for entertainment. 

I understand if as a Christian we believe it is our duty to bash potentially corrosive materials for the edification and the raising up of morals within society. After all, we are called to lift each other up with Pslams and hymns of praise. I would however encourage you to investigate what you are knocking down and examine yourself before judging something based only on what you have heard and not what you know.

Consider the book; “Reviving Ophelia- Saving the selves of adolescent girls.” American clinical psychologist; Mary Pipher wrote a book in 1994 including case studies of adolescent girls she would seein her office. In 2019 a new edition was released celebrating the 25th anniversary of her book (I would encourage you to read the interview for that book put out by NPR as it is very informative: (https://www.npr.org/2019/06/30/737478316/reviving-ophelia-turns-25). Mary Pipher brought to light the very things director and screen writer Maïmouna Doucouré was trying to bring to light in her movie “Cuties.” Yes, that is correct! The director and screen writer wasn’t some cheese puff stained pervert who gets off watching 10 year old girls twerking. The film was written and directed by a Senegalese woman raised in France. I would also encourage you to read her opinion piece put out by the Washington Post: ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuties-director-maimouna-doucoure-why-i-made-the-film/2020/09/15/7e0ee406-f78b-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html). 

In her opinion piece for the Post, Maïmouna Doucouré mentions that she was trying to address an issue in society that she hoped would stimulate a discussion and not be knocked down by a “cancel culture” mentality. She handled the film being careful and mindful of the young actresses even hiring psychologists to be on site to care for any needs of the crew. I would argue that Cuties is nothing more than a more contemporary investigation of what our young girls are being exposed to. It does not glorify young girls having sex and becoming sex idols. 

Things to consider before adopting a “Cancel culture” position on Cuties:

Know the culture- I recall while living abroad, seeing 3 year old children dancing quite suggestively. The parents laughed and made videos of the spectacle to share with friends. The children were mimicking what they saw in their culture without understanding. That is clearly depicted in the film. In addition for a French film, Cuties is quite clean (for a French film mind you). 

Know yourself- Why even bring this junk to light and watch an hour and half of some girls life falling apart at only 10? Because we live in a culture that needs to be entertained and chances are you wouldn’t watch a documentary. Do you enjoy Game of Thrones, Outlander, Weeds, Breaking Bad, Umbrella Academy or almost anything on Netflix these days? There are far more corrosive shows and films that we watch that disguise “grooming” as entertainment. I don’t know about you but I have to put limits on what I watch if I want to sleep well at night. My everyday life fills my head with enough things to fill my dreams with. Are you against the film? If so, is it based on facts and truths reflected in your personal life? 

Know the agenda by knowing the source:  (Netflix wasn’t the creator of this film even though they are responsible for streaming and presenting a lot of junk). The film takes place in France where there are different expectations and standards of public exposer (Think of all the historical art that everyone is exposed to on a daily basis). The film was born as a response to young girls dancing inappropriately in public and being objectified. The project was approved by the French government’s child protection authorities as it addressed a cultural issue, it was not a film to promote the behavior among young. This film did what it was supposed to in France, what makes the States different?   

I have to admit that I found the film interesting, not as entertainment but informative. There were the disturbing scenes that you have probably heard about where a 10 year old girl objectifies herself and tries to use her undiscovered sexuality to solve her life problems however, it is not glorified like you might think. Those disturbing scenes come with shame and disgust that is communicated in the responses of the other actors. It is depicted in all its brokenness and awkwardness of a prepubescent tween unwittingly mimicking what she sees in society. It isn’t as uplifting and cute as Troop Zero, but it touches on the real issues addressed in Reviving Ophelia. The film is depicting where grooming is coming from, I wouldn’t say it is the one doing the grooming.

I’m not advising you to go and watch this film, in fact I would encourage you to abstain especially if you don’t want to think about the way society and culture creeps in and robs children of their innocence. I certainly would not allow children to see it and I think the director of the film would agree. I am encouraging you to seek the middle by being informed. I am also encouraging my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to remember what we are called to and what that means for how we interact with worldly things. Sometimes we cast down people who are fighting with us because we don’t understand their methods or the platform from which they stand. At the end of the day, as a Christian, I try to err on the side of edifying others with Biblical truth, however I know I have and do fail on a daily basis. Look up Colossians 3 or Ephesians 5 for meditation. 

Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.