Cuties

Amy is an 11-year-old girl from Senegal living in one of Paris' poorest neighborhoods. She resides with her mother, Mariam, and her two younger brothers, navigating the complexities of a multicultural environment.

Amy feels anger and frustration towards her father's decision to return to the family with a second wife. This event deepens her conflict with her father's traditional views and her desire for independence.

Bored with the Islamic culture imposed by her aunt, Amy finds herself drawn to the rebellious lifestyle of her neighbor, Angelica. This fascination leads her to the twerking clique known as the Cuties, which starkly contrasts with her family's customs.

Amy becomes a part of the Cuties, adopting their revealing outfits and defiant attitude against the rival group, the Sweety Swags. This decision marks a significant turn in her quest for identity and acceptance among her peers.

In her quest for validation, Amy attempts to incorporate suggestive dance moves into their choreography. This act represents her desire to grow up quickly and gain attention, albeit through risky behaviors.

After a confrontation with the Sweety Swags leads to her being pantsed, Amy reacts impulsively by stealing her cousin’s phone. She sends a revealing photo of herself online, a move that backfires and results in her social ostracization.

As a result of her actions, Amy is expelled from the Cuties, replaced by Yasmine. This unexpected rejection deepens her feelings of isolation and desperation for acceptance, highlighting the pressure of fitting in.

Amy's mother confronts her for her inappropriate behavior, leading to a confrontation with her aunt. This family conflict underscores the generational divide between traditional values and modern influences Amy is grappling with.

In an attempt to control Amy's rebellious behavior, her mother and aunt try to perform an exorcism. However, it fails to have any effect, illustrating the desperation of her family to bring back traditional values.

On the day of her father's wedding, which coincides with the finale performance of the Cuties, Amy feels a pull between loyalty to her family and her desire to dance. This inner conflict sets the stage for a pivotal moment.

Determined to join the Cuties, Amy sneaks out of her house. She resorts to pushing Yasmine into a canal, a drastic measure to reclaim her place among them, revealing the extreme lengths she will go to belong.

During the dance routine, the provocative choreography draws mixed reactions from the audience. Mid-performance, Amy is overcome with emotion, thinking of her mother, and she ultimately leaves the stage in tears.

Upon returning home, Amy encounters her aunt, who berates her for her outfit and behavior. This confrontation emphasizes the generational conflict and the heavy expectations placed on Amy by her family.

Amy's mother intervenes to protect her from her aunt's scolding, affirming her love for Amy. This moment of support serves as a brief respite from the turmoil Amy has faced with her family.

In the end, Amy rejects both the traditional wedding attire and her provocative dancer's outfit. She chooses to live a normal life, signifying her growth and the resolution of her internal conflict between tradition and modernity.