Controversies

Controversy One. The Netflix film Cuties. It’s been condemned by a number of public figures including politicians. And there’s been a call, several weeks now, for its removal from the streaming service. But as of today, it’s still there and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I didn’t want to watch this film. Everything I’d heard about it repulsed me. But, you know, in the interest of fair criticism, I wanted to make up my mind for myself. Now having watched it, perhaps it’s because I’ve been influenced by the naysayers, I still am shaking my head about Cuties’ content. But I think I would have come to a similar conclusion anyway. The film, by first time director Maïmouna Doucouré, is supposed to be an indictment of how society sexualizes pre-teens. I would like to do a survey of 100 people who attend a screening of Cuties – without them having known anything about the movie or the controversy – and ask their opinion when they left. My guess is most would say the film itself exploits tweens. In the 96-minute movie there are numerous close ups of these 11-year-olds twerking, swinging their legs and showing, yes, their crotches. There is even one scene where the lead actor, Amy (Fathia Youssant) pulls down her panties and takes a photo of herself. (Sorry I had to tell you this.) The film could be a pedophile’s delight, regardless of its intentions. It’s one of those movies you feel dirty after having watched it. I know, it’s all about art. But there has to be a line drawn somewhere, and it should have been drawn before this picture was made.

Controversy two. Disney film Mulan (Niki Caro). I have never had any interest in this franchise but the fact this latest live action version was filmed with the aid of some of the worst elements of the Communist Chinese government is disgusting and definitely worth boycotting. The film’s end credits give “special thanks” to the “public security bureau” in Xinjiang, the region where the Chinese government has locked away hundreds of thousands of China’s Uighur Muslim minority in concentration camps. There is some suggestion the movie’s theme is also racist with the dominant Han Chinese vanquishing what is coded as Muslim villains. Finally, there is the star herself, Liu Yifel, who last year denounced Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrators.

Controversy three. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new diversity standards. To be eligible for the 2024 Oscars to win Best Picture a film must meet two of four standards, in other words employing members of various racial or ethnic minorities.  One is onscreen representation, themes and narratives. The second is creative leadership and the project team. The third is industry access and opportunities (such as internships and apprenticeships). The fourth is audience development (marketing, publicity and distribution). The problem, of course, is that whenever one mandates anything, especially for an art form, that takes away the essential creativity of the production and negates what art is all about. Of course, pne always hopes for an integrated industry free of bias. But mandating strictures will turn art into political propaganda or agit prop, or in the corrupt tradition of Communist governments far and wide, state-sanctioned Socialist Realism.