directed by Maïmouna Doucouré
I’m aware of the fact that this film is incredibly controversial and a lot of you may not agree with what I’ll write in this post, but I hope you will stay open-minded and try to understand how I see this production. So, I think this film is actually very good. And before I try to defend it, I’d like to share a few words about the plot for those who haven’t heard of it. The main character is an eleven-year-old girl named Amy (Fathia Youssouf). She’s originally from Senegal, but she’s emigrated to Paris together with her mother and two brothers. Soon, her father is going to join them together with his second wife (in Senegal it’s acceptable for a man to have more than one wife). Amy’s family is very religious and the girl is trying to understand the world from their perspective. However, the life of a teenage girl living in Paris seems to be a lot different. Amy gets to know her female peers who’re addicted to their phones, social apps and following their idols, who may not be the best example for children. Amy begins living in two worlds – with a very conservative family and way too liberal friends. And now the drama… a lot of people have found this film disgusting, outrageous, way too sexual and made for pedophiles only. I’m afraid it’s not really like that. I agree that seeing such small girls acting like adult erotic dancers is disturbing and I didn’t feel comfortable watching it either. However, you must be living in a very nice place if you think that what’s presented in the film is not true. We’re living in the world were we expect such small girls to be either conservative adults following something they don’t fully understand or we let them be on their own so they get manipulated by everything that’s on the Internet. I believe this is not a film for pedophiles, it’s not a film for degenerates. It’s a film for us all to open our eyes and let children be children. But they can’t stay children without our support, because we’re constantly surrounded by incredibly influential stuff. Play a random music video or go to a random celebrity Instagram – we like being overly sexual in our times. And as long as it may not be harmful (although it sometimes is, but it’s another topic) for adults, children are watching that and trying to adapt. So instead of hating this production, go with your child, your grandchild, your sister/brother or some other child in your family and just show them how to be that child. I know you’re frustrated about what’s in this production, but I hope you’ll be equally frustrated about the reality as well. Congrats Madame Doucouré, you made a very controversial, yet good point.
My rating: 7/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 