How do you see this issue changing in the future? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The original movie contains a scene of Goofy smoking a cigarette that was previously edited on Disney+. The sultan's palace in Aladdin, left, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Overall, group representatives say they appreciate efforts made by Disney to recognize outdated cultural depictions while advocating for films likeAladdinor 1995sPocahontasto also receive the disclaimer. At that time, it simply noted, "This program is presented as originally created. The only question is how to best address this. 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. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? The film was criticised for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia. alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Twenty-seven years ago, Disneys animated version of Aladdin was the highest-grossing film of 1992, earning over $346 million in worldwide box office revenue. All Rights Reserved. ", clearly implying it's cutting off the hand. And welcomed. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Why is there so little Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim (or other minority group) representation in film and television? The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song. However, the outbreak of the first Gulf War (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. Yes, Skorodin says. , earning over $346 million in worldwide box office revenue. Jinns Lebanese director Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya has said, this is a great opportunity to portray Arab youth in a very unique way. As mentioned above, the original, one of many films released as part of the, 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. 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. Instead of simply being upset with her father for restricting who she can marry as in the 1992 version Jasmine aspires to be the first female sultan and is frustrated by her fathers refusal to consider her because of her gender. Something like this is surely the reason they put it afront of the video, just to be safe. 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. Aladdin's racism feels lazy. The sultans palace in Aladdin, left, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. We've received your submission. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. This supports the idea that Genie only changes Aladdin's appearance, which he also indirectly confirms a few lines later: There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. Yeah, probably not because that message doesnt help them pander. I cant wait until Disney finally puts a warning label on their films portraying marriage like the fantasy that its never been. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. "Nobody's canceling these movies," he said. The films with the updated disclaimer includePeter Pan, Dumbo, Lady andthe Tramp, Fantasia,The Jungle BookandSwiss Family Robinson, among others. 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. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. We can therefore assume that Genie only focused on making Aladdin a prince so that he could have a shot with Jasmine. Privacy Policy. 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. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. ", 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.". October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM / CBS News Disney is adding a disclaimer to some of its old movies that include racist stereotypes, the media giant announced this month. "As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are in the process of reviewing our library and adding advisories to content that includes negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures," reads a page titled Stories Matter on the Disney website. Hang tough It is also important to think about all the improvements the 2019 movie made over the 1992 adaptation (see #3 on this list above!). The film and its creators refused to do the work of normalizing and humanizing people of color for American audiences. Peter and the Lost Boys engage in dancing, wearing headdresses and other exaggerated tropes, a form of mockery and appropriation of Native peoples' culture and imagery. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Itwould be great if Disney did it across the board for all of their older cartoons that may be a little insensitive., Guy Aoki, co-founder of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA), sayshe has never seen 1992sAladdinhimself, but he was friends with Don Bustany, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and late deejay Casey Kasem, who were a part of a successful campaign to change problematic lyrics inAladdins introductory song Arabian Nights., They had meetings to talk about their concerns about how it was stereotyping Arab culture and how they wanted to get one line of the song changed, recalls Aoki. Save America from this foolishness before its too late. In May 2019, Disney released a live-action version of Aladdin, which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. Guess Disney isnt that offended after all. Iconic film critic, Roger Ebert, wrote in his 1992 review: One distraction during the film was its odd use of ethnic stereotypes. Screen capture from, In May 2019, Disney released a live-action version of. Is it stereotypical? Though he was skeptical that the disclaimer would have a large impact on children, Dr. Shah said that racist scenes offered learning opportunities when children watched them with their parents. 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. Is it okay to watch a movie if it includes offensive parts? If anything it highlighted overcoming a class struggle but I guess Marxism has mutated to race and gender now. The iconic films Aristocats (1970), Peter Pan (1953) and Swiss Family Robinson (1960) also feature the warning ahead of the film. Its a complete waste of time for our children who will eventually become whining Disney adults. A lot of it is, honestly, hard to tell or point out when you're not part of the group involved. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 16, 2021 Of all Disney films, Song of the South has been perhaps criticized the most thanks to its depiction of African slaves. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? First published on October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM. Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not Pocahontas? Critics say the movie producers have used this melting pot description as an excuse to be lazier in casting. 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. and the story itself argue that the tale of Aladdin is inherently racist and Orientalist, and, regardless of the setting, is simply a colonial European view of the exotic East. Sky has issued a disclaimer alongside a number of its films that have 'outdated values' including the 1986 hit Aliens (pictured: Sigourney Weaver) The broadcasting giants say it is reviewing. 8. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. "Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.". That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? has been questioned over its casting woes, theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search, The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw. Disney is the only media outlet who can show Aladdin. Several representatives of minority advocacy groups spoke withThe Hollywood Reporterabout their reactions to the Disney+ disclaimer and what, if any, extra measures can be enacted by Disney to caution viewers of culturally insensitive material. On " Fixer to Fabulous ," Dave and Jenny Marrs have been doing many remarkable remodels around Bentonville, AR but that's not to say we agree with all of their design . In the 2019 film, Agrabah is 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 disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, said in 2015 that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? At the end of the overview, you can also find resources section for further exploration in the classroom. 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. 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). Yes. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. While the movie is set in a city based on Baghdad, Iraq, Aladdin contains aspects of multiple Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. This is pretty much the progressive movement in a nutshell. The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. The film is an adaptation of a folktale from the 18th-century, Arabic-language collection, A Thousand and One Nights. 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. After the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee complained about song lyrics describing the setting in the film, Where they cut off your ear if they dont like your face, alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. While the 1992 movie had all the fairy-tale elements to attract viewers adventure and intrigue, an evil villain, a plucky underdog, a forlorn princess trapped by tradition, and an array of supporting characters. The original story from November 2019 detailing the original Disney+ content warning is below. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Walt Disney Studios. 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. "Disney could have used stronger language, which would more proactively invite a conversation around the context of these caricatures," Swinburne University of Technology film and TV lecturer Jessica Balanzategui told CNET in June. A similar decision was recently made by HBO Max for the classic, yet problematic, film Gone With the Wind. Jasmine can be seen wearing one of her mother's bracelets in the live-action movie. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. Warner Bros. featured a similar warning regarding some of its older cartoons, such as Tom & Jerry, which appeared on Amazon, according to CinemaBlend. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Reimagining the Middle East: Grassroots Movements, Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide, wear clothing from a wide array of cultures, allegedly darkening the skin of white actors and crew, Middle Eastern critic Maha Albadrawi says. The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a press release earlier this week asking reviewers and critics to acknowledge that the "Aladdin myth is rooted by racism, Orientalism and. Aladdin(1992), which previously did not have a warning, has been added to the list. 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. Bollywood is an entire industry made up of talents like this and the Middle East has equally as much talent. Answer: A lot of older movies (god I hate calling movies from the 90's "older") include often passive stereotypes or themes about minority groups that while may not have been intentionally harmful, still perpetuate potentially harmful or offensive ideas about a culture or location. notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. But it's not as innocent as it seems. But maybe thats the issue that Disney and other major corporations cant seem to understand. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nearly a year later, on Thursday, Disney said that after consulting with a council of organizations representing minorities, it's added a newdisclaimer acknowledging the "harmful impact" of racist stereotypes in some of its older films. Makes me think Disney is putting warnings out there so people buy their movies before they go back to retiring movies for a year or two to create demand curves for their products. / CBS News, Disney is adding a disclaimer to some of its old movies that include racist stereotypes, the media giant announced this month. You can also see. Its either that or the children are rebelling against authority. A content advisory notice for racism in classic Disney films, in place since last year, has been updated with a strengthened message. Heres a version of that warning, which is notably more in-depth than the one-sentence warning that Disney has implemented. 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.. 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. Answer: A lot of older movies (god I hate calling movies from the 90's "older") include often passive stereotypes or themes about minority groups that while may not have been intentionally harmful, still perpetuate potentially harmful or offensive ideas about a culture or location. Source. Some other Disney films, like Fantasia, Aladdin, and Peter Pan, have been criticized as well, but notably, Disneys Song of the South remains absent from the service. How do you feel about Aladdin? Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin, was born in Cairo, Naomi Scott (Jasmine) is of Anglo-Indian descent, Numan Acar (Hakim) is Turkish, and Nasim Pedrad (Dalia) and Navid Negahban (The Sultan) are Iranian. Disney+ should be a dying brandjust like the Grammys. Aladdin is one of them. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. 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. While he is technically only a sidekick character, he has a huge part to play in the film. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. 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. 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. 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 . You can also see our lesson plan on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. To learn more about how stories have impacted society visit: www.Disney.com/StoriesMatter.". She covers film and TV news and reviews. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Please review Rule 4 and this post before making a top level comment: I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. New foreign series, such as Jinn, available now on Netflix, may also rely on fantasy or folk culture, but they provide authentic place settings and use local talent and perspectives. There are a number of reasons why these titles are removed. So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. 4. Who should tell stories of other places? 2. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song, Speechless, in which she sings about not allowing men to silence her. Whether the new film-makers choose to stand in the old guard or vanguard remains to be seen. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct, This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Aladdin film poster comparison. CBS News has reached out to the Walt Disney Company for more information. I know that they would be very disappointed that there is not even a disclaimer to acknowledge that there are some questionable things in that film.. Background characters. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr. Don Owens. The highly controversial Song of the South (1946) is not available on the streaming service. Now, it admits they were not just "outdated" but "wrong" even back then and that such negative portrayals had a harmful impact in real life. October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. After Shaheen protested against the film alongside the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Disney agreed to alter the lyrics in Arabian Nights for Aladdin's video release in 1993, and defended it, as it was a rare film to feature an Arab hero and heroine. ALADDIN: Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince! Yet, they and their media family, (like ESPN) are always the first in line seeking to cancel anything that remotely upsets them. 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. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. Creating a diverse and primarily non-white cast for the film was a huge step in accurately portraying a land set in the Middle East and moving towards greater diversity in Hollywood. It may contain outdated cultural depictions." The new statement is more strongly worded than one Disneytacked onto some films when Disney+ first rolled out last year. Growing up, I loved watching Aladdin, just like any other child that enjoyed Disney movies. Besides from what I vaguely remember about Aladdin was he was a poor theif (or street rat for the non PC types) who befriended an enslaved genie and found a magic carpet ride in order to overcome evil Jafar, win the affection of a bra wearing princess, and became the king of Arabia or something. 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." But they will not stop playing Aladdin. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. But I've realized how problematic Aladdin's character is. That is even more important in an era of mass media, all-you-can-watch online streaming. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Since Disney Plus launched last November, experts have criticized the soft language used in its disclaimer on older titles like 1941's Dumbo, that warned films "may contain outdated cultural depictions.". 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. After Mr. The company said that while it can't change he past, "we can acknowledge it, learn from it and move forward together.". I do not want to shy away from that. Nobodys canceling these movies, he said. Alan Menken, famed Disney composer, discusses enduring appeal of "Aladdin." The musical visits San Jose this month, with live-action film due in May. The disclaimer reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. 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. Disney did not respond toTHRs request for comment. Disney said it created an advisory council made up of outside experts who helped the company "assess our content and ensure it accurately represents our global audiences." To learn more about how stories have impacted society visit Disney.com/storiesmatter, First off, when did Disney suddenly become a Civil Rights movement? 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. Rather than removing the offensive content, the company said it hopes to "spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. Which iirc got changed to "With winds in the east and the sun from the west, where the sand and the glass is bright". 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