Legislator voices opposition to Netflix movie release

SCHUYLER COUNTY--During a short Schuyler County Legislative meeting Monday, Sept. 14 most of the time was spent discussing attempts to take legal action against Netflix for their release of the movie "Cuties." Legislator Van Harp, who called the film's depiction of young girls to be "very pornographic," said he has already discussed the matter with the county district attorney and the county attorney's office to explore options regarding the film.
"It is terrible, it's out of place," Harp said.
The film, which has generated international controversy regarding what critics say is the film's sexualization of young girls, is a French film directed by a French-Senegalese woman. The story surrounds a young African girl in France raised in the Muslim faith, torn between her traditional upbringing and participation in a dance routine popular on the internet. According to filmmakers, the film was intended as a criticism of the hyper-sexualization of children in mass media.
State and national politicians from both parties have condemned the film and asked for an investigation by the justice department.
"I want to do anything to protest (the film)," Harp said.
Despite being informed by a representative from the county attorney's office that options would be incredibly limited to oppose the film on a legal basis, Harp said he would still like the matter explored.
"This is available on public television," Harp said.
Netflix is a movie and television subscription service available across the world through the internet. Many TVs and most smart devices can directly connect to Netflix.
County Administrator Tim O'Hearn updated the board on the county's COVID-19 situation saying as it stands, there are four active cases in the county.
"All four cases are associated with a church in Horseheads," O'Hearn said.
With the four new cases, none of which have required hospitalization, O'Hearn said the cumulative total of COVID cases in Schuyler stands at 34.