"Cuties" director Maïmouna Doucoure defended her film amid criticism it hyper-sexualized young girls. While participating in a panel at the Toronto Film Festival on French filmmakers Monday, Doucoure said the indie film was a social commentary on how young girls are treated, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "It's because I saw so many things and so many issues around me lived by young girls, that I decided to make this film and sound an alarm and say we need to protect our children," Doucoure explained.