Netflix indicted in Texas over Cuties

Netflix is now facing a criminal charge in the ongoing backlash over "Cuties," a French film centered around a 11-year-old girl living in Paris who wants to join a local "Free-spirited dance crew."

The indictment states that Netflix promoted, distributed and exhibited material which "Depicts the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 years of age" for the "Prurient interest in sex." It also states that the material held no serious "Literary, artistic, political, or scientific value."

Netflix, Inc. indicted by grand jury in Tyler Co., Tx for promoting material in Cuties film which depicts lewd exhibition of pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 yrs of age which appeals to the prurient interest in sex #Cuties #txlege pic.

"What I cannot understand is how Netflix can condemn the conduct depicted in Cuties, while celebrating the film and filmmakers who asked several underage girls to stand in front of a camera and engage in that same 'inappropriate, shameful' conduct for all the world to see," Lee said.

Netflix apologized for its initial U.S. advertisements of the film in a statement posted to Twitter on August 20, adding that the material was "Not OK" and updated the pictures and description of the film.

The company defended the film itself telling NBC's "Today" show last month that "Cuties" is social commentary against the sexualization of young children.