Netflix asks federal court to block child porn charges over 'Cuties' film

When the Netflix film "Cuties" initially came out in September 2020, it was quickly hailed by left-wing elites as a cultural success. Receiving raving reviews from niche audiences, the movie instantly grabbed national headlines and stole the mainstream media spotlight. It even made the French Academy Award's shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2021 awards ceremony.

But as "Cuties" began its climb in popularity among left-wing circles, it also began receiving a different kind of attention when a grand jury hit Netflix with an indictment in October of 2020 for displaying patterns of behavior that sexualized pre-teen children. Netflix has attempted to get the indictment tossed out of state court in Texas, while new child porn indictments were filed in the past week.

When it was first released, Parents Television Council (PTC) had called on the Trump administration's Department of Justice to investigate Netflix. Others accusing "Cuties" of promoting pedophilia signed a Change.org petition calling for the French movie to be removed from the streaming service.

Now, Netflix is attempting to defend itself in court as Lucas Babin, a Texas district attorney from Tyler County, is fighting for charges of child pornography against the giant streaming company. Babin has previously called the film a "lewd exhibition." Netflix has stated that it stands by director Maïmouna Doucouré and the production and has called the prosecutor's charges "without merit."

In response to the charges, Netflix has put Babin in its crosshairs. This isn't the first time Babin has gone after Netflix. In fact, the DA has filed injunctions against Netflix not once, but five separate times. That, says Netflix, is a sign that Babin is unfairly targeting the company. The streaming company has filed a complaint against Babin, in effect launching a legal counter-attack against the attorney.

Netflix's request to the federal court in the Eastern District of Texas on Thursday asks a judge to block the child porn charges it is facing, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Acknowledging it's unusual to seek such a motion via federal court, Netflix deemed the move necessary, citing Babin's continued legal aggression.

Netflix stands by its assessment that the movie "is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children." Babin, Netflix asserts, is merely abusing his position to go after the popular streaming company with no basis.

The controversial film depicts the story of Amy, an 11-year old girl, as she struggles to find her place among her fellow dancers and her religious family. But for many viewers, the coming-of-age story isn't the problem. Instead, critics of the movie singled out the promiscuous style of dancing depicted in the film.

At many points in the movie, Amy and other girls of a similar age can be seen in scant clothing and twerking in front of large adult audiences. For a time after the movie's release, many chose to protest the production on social media, using the viral hashtag #CancelNetflix in opposition to the release of "Cuties."