that Disney should stop trying to improve stories that are problematic and should leave them in the past, instead focusing on new stories that wont be tainted by previously offensive versions. , with $232.4 million domestic and $372.5 million international for the musical remake. Gary Sheffield Jr is the son of should-be MLB Hall of Famer, Gary Sheffield. These animated films teach us so much, and especially young kids, Ghanizada says. Potato Head survived by a thread and liberal white men working at Disneyland saved black women from the horrors of Splash Mountain-now Aladdin is racist. After Mr. We take a look at the origins of the folktale, the previous dramatic portrayals of the story, the 1992 animated film, and how the filmmakers tried to overcome past controversy in the latest rendition of Aladdin. This was inevitable. While the true origins of the tale of Aladdin cannot be completely verified, the story is often attributed to French writer Antoine Galland, who claimed a Syrian told him about a boy and a genie in China. UPDATE: Disney has updated their content warning on Disney+ to an unskippable, 12-second message in front of controversial movies or shorts. Think thatll ever happen with divorce rates higher than ever? Aladdin's racism feels lazy. But, he adds, with Native American actress Irene Bedard as the voice of Pocahontas in the film, some in his community might both enjoy and accept it as presented. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Although Disney posted this message in front of the original Aladdin, the version on Disney+ has still removed the "cut off your ear" line from the opening song and Aladdin's mumbling on the. In June, Disney said it would retheme Disneyland's Splash Mountain, basing it on the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog, instead of the 1946 southern plantation movie Song of the South. has been questioned over its casting woes, theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search, The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw. The Middle East has a robust entertainment industry and creative voices in the region regularly share their stories through film, television, music and other media forms. The rags-to-riches story of a street urchin named Aladdin who asks a genie in a lamp to make him a prince is a work of fantasy. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. / CBS News, Disney is adding a disclaimer to some of its old movies that include racist stereotypes, the media giant announced this month. Disney+ "Outdated Cultural Depictions" Disclaimer Raises Questions, Say You can also see our lesson plan on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. A Syrian named Hanna Diyab did apparently meet with Galland at some point, but it remains unclear how much, if any, of the story came from him. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Here, TeachMideast provides you with in-depth background and context so you can decide for yourself whether society is succeeding in its demand that Hollywood do a better job portraying minorities. The Stories Matter page on Disney's site notes the characters' connection to racist minstrel shows. Take a look at both sides of the argument: Watch the trailer for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. Aladdin is not an entertaining Arabian Nights fantasy as film critics would have us believe, wrote Jack Shaheen in 1992, then a professor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University, but rather a painful reminder to 3 million Americans of Arab heritage, as well as 300 million Arabs and others, that the abhorrent Arab stereotype is as ubiquitous as Aladdins lamp.. members. To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visitwww.disney.com/StoriesMatter. Aladdin was criticised for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia (Credit: Alamy), Daniel Newman, professor of Arabic at Durham University, acknowledges that Western portrayals have come a long way from the lotus-eating, Orientalist fantasies of yesteryear, but barring a few exceptions, what has happened is that one clich has been replaced by another; from the scimitar-wielding lascivious Arab, we have gone to the bomb-wielding terrorist Arab. While some moderate characters have been introduced in shows such as Homeland, he says, the pervading feeling is one of threat, based primarily if not exclusively on religion., Id ask the animators to add benevolent market-vendors and heroic guards who befriend Aladdin, Shaheen said of the 1992 Aladdin, conscious of the image of Middle-Eastern people that might be made on the films young viewers. If you are a younger person and youre watching something and that youre not aware that theres potential violence or now, cultural insensitivity, I think [the disclaimer] is kind of protecting [filmmakers] the same way that it does those other catchphrases., Still, she says that Disneys decision to include a disclaimer is appreciated, noting it is the first step to correcting things that might not have been thought about 10, 20, 30 years ago when these [films] were being made., Aoki echoes that sentiment, saying he finds Disney today to be a totally different company from the one that existed even 20, 25 years ago. He adds: I spoke to a Disney executive a few years ago who told me that, I think it was every Friday, [CEO] Bob Iger has a meeting with all the company heads, including Marvel and Pixar and everybody that is under their corporate umbrella, and he says, OK, report to me what you have done to further diversity at this company. So its not lip service as far as, Oh, yes, we believe in diversity and we try to have open casting. The new message plays before all of the listed films for about 10 seconds and cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. The 1992 Disney animated film placed the story in the Middle East but the change in scenery was not necessarily based on historic or contemporary accuracy. ", The movies that will now start with the disclaimer include "Aristocats," which features racist caricatures of East Asian peoples; "Dumbo," in which the crow characters perform a musical number in the style of racist minstrel shows; "Peter Pan," for its stereotypical portrayal of Native peoples; and "Swiss Family Robinson," in which pirates are portrayed as a stereotypical foreign menace, many in "yellow face" or "brown face.". The 1992 Disney animated film placed the story in the Middle East but the change in scenery was not necessarily based on historic or contemporary accuracy. Potato Head survived by a thread and liberal white men working at Disneyland saved black women from the horrors of Splash Mountainnow Aladdin is racist. a port city that rests on the cusp of Eastern and Western nations, making it a thriving trade town and bringing together a melting pot of cultures and influences. The production designer used Turkish, Persian, and Islamic influences for the set design. The only mention of her is when the Sultan says Jasmine's mother "wasn't nearly so picky" when it came to choosing a husband. 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While the 1992 film is widely perceived as problematic, many point to the fact that the worst parts (including racist lyrics and caricatures) have been removed and replaced with accurate Arabic script and culturally-appropriate dress. In the scene where Jasmine gives the beggar an apple from a cart, the merchant grabs her wrist, draws a sword saying, "Don't you know what the penalty is for stealing? 1. Our job is not to get up and say, Heres a movie that you should feel guilty about for liking. But to pretend that the racism in it is not painful and acute? No one thats who. Background characters wear clothing from a wide array of cultures, including Afghan payraans, Indian saris, Omani daggers, and turbans from multiple cultures. 7. That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? Mar 1, 2023. Disney+ has a huge library of hundreds of movies and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. When the Genie turned Aladdin into "Prince Ali", what exactly did that BBC did an article discussing it a few years ago when the remake was being talked about that might point to some examples where it's coming from. Most of the Arab characters have exaggerated facial characteristics hooked noses, glowering brows, thick lips but Aladdin and the princess look like white American teenagers. All Rights Reserved. Aladdin is one of them. The film remains controversial to this day. Nobody in their right mind can state that it is impossible to find a young male South Asian or Middle-Eastern actor who can dance, sing and act, says Academy Award nominated director Lexi Alexander, who is half German, half Palestinian. Disney+ wants to say theyre focused on inspirational themes while half the children in Disney films have dead parents. He says that while working with young filmmakers, he has never insisted they dont watch it or they dont appreciate it or that its wrong. Friendly reminder that all top level comments must: start with "answer:" (or "question:" if you have an on-topic follow up question to ask). Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? "Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.". How is your familys culture represented in film, television or literature? TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." ", Disney said the decision is part of its "ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion." As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. A similar decision was recently made by HBO Max for the classic, yet problematic, film Gone With the Wind. As mentioned above, the original, one of many films released as part of the Disney Renaissance, made $504 million worldwide over its entire box office lifetime. Disney+ updated its policy toward its films containing offensive material, posting a new disclaimer and adding new movies to its list of programs that feature "negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures." Jasmine was also given a more complex plot line in the new adaptation. We've received your submission. Please disregard such warningsand better yet, dont give Disney another dime of your money. Since Disney is so horrified of its own movie, perhaps they should return the hundreds of millions of dollars they made off it. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. But just which films and shows meet the criteria for the disclaimer is not clear. Aladdin film poster comparison. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. For more, Xbox Game Pass Is Having its Best Stretch Ever, Attack on Titan Fans Are Desperately Searching for The Final Season Part 3's First Episode Online, The Flash: The Arrowverse's Red Death Isn't Who We Thought, $30 Million Worth of Funko Products are Being Sent to a Landfill, Atomic Heart Faces Backlash on Multiple Fronts, all the movies and shows on or coming soon to Disney Plus, The Simpsons Hit and Run Designer Wants to See a Remake - IGN Daily Fix. 4. Who should tell stories of other places? Panoramic view of Agrabah from the 2019 shows real-seeming landscape featuring buildings with Islamic architecture. While the movie is set in a city based on Baghdad, Iraq, Aladdin contains aspects of multiple Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. CBS News has reached out to the Walt Disney Company for more information. The crows in Dumbo. Archived post. in the new adaptation. The movie that inspired her to want a career in film is Lost in Translation. Yunioshi., We had several people from MANAA talking about the concerns of yellowface and what was wrong with Mickey Rooneys portrayal, he adds. Fans questioned the need to include this new character whose appearance was ultimately inconsequential and wondered why a white character had to be added to a refreshingly-multicultural film. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. Abby Monteil. Aladdin (1992) Critics have expressed concerns over the story's use of Orientalist stereotypes, while casting decisions also came under scrutiny, with Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and the genie . 2. Thus, when Disney reported in 2016 that a live-action adaptation was in the works, director Guy Ritchie had to contend with the original films controversial legacy. 5 Things to Know About Aladdin - TeachMideast on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. Answer: Well I don't know which version they are showing, but in the origubal the salesman in the beginning sings that in the east they cut off your tongue and ears or something in that fashion when they catch you stealing, which is considered stereotyping. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? She covers film and TV news and reviews. Disney+ should be a dying brandjust like the Grammys. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. You can also see. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. We can therefore assume that Genie only focused on making Aladdin a prince so that he could have a shot with Jasmine. Disney have not commented on the search, and although it has been suggested that the lengthy casting process is due to the studio's commitment to finding the right actors, some are critical of the studios struggle. The disclaimer appears with some animated Disney classics such as 1967's The Jungle Book and 1953's Peter Pan , offering caution to viewers of racist and culturally insensitive depictions and. Its a convenient system that insists actors-of-colour need to be household names to be cast, while nobody wants to give them a break. Alexander posted a list of potential actors on Twitter, asking Guy to give me a call., The well-loved soundtrack for the 1992 animation is actually an edited version of the one that was heard in cinemas (Credit: Alamy). Aoki believes it should specifically note what the issue of each film is, rather than offering up an ambiguous line. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? Supporters of the movie point to the fact that Agrabah, despite being supposedly based on an actual city. However, experts continued to criticize the soft language used in the old Disney Plus disclaimers. In the examples below, the, With the advent of the Hollywood film industry, the story returned to its fabled Middle Eastern origins, replete with exotic and exaggerated stereotypes note the poster for a. Was the Original Aladdin Story Inspired by a Real Person? | Time Fury of the Gods Special: Shazamily Matters, The Flash Still Shows Best Look Yet at Supergirl's Costume, 25 Years Ago, Michelle Yeoh Starred in James Bond's Most Underrated Movie, 10 Actors Who Have What It Takes To Play Superman In The New DCU. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Several representatives of minority advocacy groups spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their reactions to the Disney+ disclaimer for films such as 1967's 'The Jungle Book' and 1953's 'Peter Pan. It reads: "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. . ORIGINAL STORY: Disney Plus is officially out in the wild now, and while it features a ton of new movies and shows like The Mandalorian, a Lady and the Tramp remake, and Jeff Goldblum, users are noticing that some older content is coming with an outdated cultural depictions warning. And welcomed. On a different note, Disney has actually restored Saludos Amigos on Disney+. Here are 5: Dumbo (1941): Contains a scene of a group of cigar-smoking crows, with their leader named Jim Crow, referring to the racist segregation laws of the South, and voiced by a white actor . Privacy Policy. The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw light-skinned, Anglicised features in the heroes Aladdin and Jasmine that contrasted sharply with the swarthy, greedy street merchants who had Arabic accents and grotesque facial features. Other companies and brands, likeAunt Jemimaand Uncle Ben's, have also recently taken steps to recognize and distance themselves from racist stereotypes by changing their branding in the wake of widespread protests for racial justice in the U.S. Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift. You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, but don't worry we don't spam. The film-makers including director Guy Ritchie are on the hunt for leads who can live up to the animated films loveable street urchin Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. Disney+ updated its policy toward its films containing offensive material, postinga new disclaimer and adding new movies to its list of programs that feature"negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures.". The original movie contains a scene of Goofy smoking a cigarette that was previously edited on Disney+. 'Aladdin' Now Has A Warning Screen On Disney+ - OutKick Guess Disney isnt that offended after all. The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. It may contain outdated cultural depictions" accompany the description of each relevant film on the menu page. It just reminds me of apu from the simpsons, where they got such a backlash that the voice actor now quit doing his voice. So going forward, several such films on the Disney+ streaming service will include the following advisory: "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. While the true origins of the tale of Aladdin cannot be completely verified, the story is often attributed to French writer Antoine Galland, who claimed a Syrian told him about a boy and a genie in China. That is even more important in an era of mass media, all-you-can-watch online streaming. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home". The meetings are held virtually and are very raw according to one attendee. Extra commentary could be added to films requiring a disclaimer, he explains, such as the 2009 DVD rerelease ofBreakfast at Tiffanys that includes a featurette Aoki participated in, discussing Mickey Rooneys problematic character Mr. Today, Disneys new content, as well as all its properties, now pushes a radical, left-wing agenda harmful to children and the nuclear family. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Get the Daily OutKick and get smarter every day. Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. It is also important to think about all the improvements the 2019 movie made over the 1992 adaptation (see #3 on this list above!). Disney Princesses Who Suffer From Some Kind Of Mental Disorder - TheRichest The films with the updated disclaimer includePeter Pan, Dumbo, Lady andthe Tramp, Fantasia,The Jungle BookandSwiss Family Robinson, among others. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Aladdin - Wikipedia Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. For many, Disneys 1992 film Aladdin conjures up images of innocence: star-crossed lovers on a magic carpet, a benevolent pet tiger and a comedic genie who would grant every hearts desire. Answer: Alladin has stereotypes of minorities that were considered acceptable by most people when it is made, but society has progressed and no longer view that as acceptable (for good reason). Hang tough Credit: Others say that accusations of racism are overwrought. If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to ourFacebookpage or message us onTwitter. It worked. Following the Maypolice killing of George Floyd, a Black man, media companies like Sky and HBO Max have pulled content or attached warnings to prejudiced or racist material in their back catalogs, such as Gone With the Wind. While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. One distraction during the film was its odd use of ethnic stereotypes. Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not - reddit For The Lone Ranger specifically,Skyhawk explained Johnny Depp taking on the role of Tonto, described as a spirit warrior from the Comanche tribe, was offensive casting resulting in an offensive character. Providing warning labels to minorities like myself does nothing to protect or encourage us in society. ALADDIN: Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince! Aspects of the story also have Indian influences, including Jasmines Indian tiger Rajah, and the sultans palace in the animated film looking remarkably similar to the Taj Mahal. It may contain outdated cultural depictions." Disney's Aladdin Is Racist - Affinity Magazine KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversations to create a more inclusive future together., Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. However, the outbreak of the first. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. Yes, Skorodin says. Heck if the salesman is racist, The whole cartoon is. The Aladdin controversy Disney can't escape - BBC Culture Most recently, The Muppet Show had warning disclaimers placed prior to 18 of its episodes, warning viewers that the show features stereotypes and mistreatment of people or cultures., Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together, the disclaimer says, adding Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.. are plenty other streamers out there. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. The controversy over Disney's new Aladdin remake, explained - Vox (a conflict involving Iraqs invasion of neighboring Kuwait) in the early 1990s prompted the directors to set the story in the fictional city of Agrabah, an adaptation of Baghdad. The page includes a section explaining in greater detail the negative depictions in certain titles. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different cultures. 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In updating the film and its content, Disney sought advice from the Muslim Public Affairs Council, an LA advocacy group, as well as groups comprised of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Muslim scholars, activists, and creatives. Due to the advisory groups input, the film avoided the crude portrayals found in the 1992 movie. Is it inaccurate? Aladdin Now Has A Warning Screen On Disney+, Mike Brey Ready For Something New As He Steps Away From Notre Dame After 23 Years, Rick Carlisles Character On Display As Pacers Honor Late Indiana Media Legend David Benner With Cool Gesture, Keith Olbermann Calls For The Burning Of Disney World In Front Of DeSantis, Scientists Suggest Brilliant Strategy Of Blocking Out The Sun To Stop Climate Change. Additionally, 1992s animatedAladdin, criticized for its racist depictions of West Asian culture, does not feature the warning in its synopsis. Bias/Anecdote: While I can't remember too much about Aladdin specifically that might call for this (the changed line about cutting off your hand during the opening theme comes to mind, but that's already been removed), the overall tone plays on a great deal of stereotype tropes for Middle-Eastern cultures that aren't really that accurate or true, or are at least heavily exaggerated. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . The new statement is more strongly worded than one Disneytacked onto some films when Disney+ first rolled out last year. Become a home entertainment expert with our handpicked tips, reviews and deals. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. But they will not stop playing Aladdin. Jasmine's mother is barely a thought in the 1992 animated movie. The well-loved soundtrack for the 1992 animation - A Whole New World notably won Disney an Academy Award, along with another Oscar for the entire score - is actually an edited version of the one that was heard in cinemas. The level of authenticity Netflix is trying to achieve with this show is definitely what attracted me the most to be part of this project.. The warning was crafted by Disney's advisors council, which includes representatives of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA),Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment,Define American,Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media,GLAAD Media Institute,Hollywood, Health & Society,IllumiNative,The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP),RespectAbility,The Science & Entertainment Exchange andTanenbaum. Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish.
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