Despite the “cuties” wanting you to think they’re mature, Doucouré reminds you constantly in the screenplay their age. The interactions they have between other people in the film - like older classmates - serve as a heat check that no matter their insistence, these are children so act accordingly. Doucouré pairs this reminder with close tracking shots while the girls practice dancing. The closeness of the camera while these children attempt to dance sensually is very uncomfortable to witness. But that’s the objective; it reinforces how over-sexualized girls like them have been. In particular Black girls, who have commonly been told they’re “hot in the pants” or “too grown” starting at this age. The onus is put on the audience (the adults in the room, literally) to look away while these girls are trying to figure themselves out.
