2. Some accused Disney of reinforcing notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. by 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. Aladdin(1992), which previously did not have a warning, has been added to the list. 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,. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. On Oct. 15, Disney Plus introduced a new disclaimer that appears before older films like Dumbo (1941) and Aladdin (1992), warning viewers that the films include harmful stereotypes. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. ThePeter Panentry reads: The film portrays Native people in a stereotypical manner that reflects neither the diversity of Native peoples nor their authentic cultural traditions. This isnt the first time that Disney has been criticised in relation to Aladdin. 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. Why is there so little Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim (or other minority group) representation in film and television? How do you feel about Aladdin? We can therefore assume that Genie only focused on making Aladdin a prince so that he could have a shot with Jasmine. First published on October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM. did apparently meet with Galland at some point, but it remains unclear how much, if any, of the story came from him. The disclaimer reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. We've received your submission. 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. 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. 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. 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. 5. Shaheen warned that these images would perpetuate negative stereotypes that literally sustain adverse portraits across generations. He argued: There is a commanding link between make-believe aberrations and the real world, and warned of the negative portrayal of Agrabah, the films fictionalised city that he called Hollywoods fabricated Ayrabland. It appears that for some, this warning wasnt unfounded: in 2015 it was revealed that 30% of Republican voters in the US would vote in support of bombing Agrabah. , which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. 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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 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. 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. I am cynical by nature. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. After Mr. It was even broader than that because we talked about the history of stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian Americans. It would be helpful if they were more specific as to whats the problem because I think people can learn from this, he says. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? Nearly a year later, on Thursday, Disney said that after consulting with a council of organizations representing minorities, it's added a new disclaimer acknowledging the "harmful impact" of. The new statement is more strongly worded than one Disneytacked onto some films when Disney+ first rolled out last year. Disney is the only media outlet who can show Aladdin. In Disneys animatedPocahontas, the most striking inaccuracies are her age (she was a child when she met Captain John Smith, according to Encyclopedia Britannica) and there was no real romantic relationship between the two. 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. Please disregard such warningsand better yet, dont give Disney another dime of your money. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? 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. 8. While he has always loved superhero, sci-fi and fantasy films and TV series, it is only recently that he began reading comic books themselves. Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? Bollywood is an entire industry made up of talents like this and the Middle East has equally as much talent. Lets be clear, Disney did harm. 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. 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. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. There are a number of reasons why these titles are removed. The original movie contains a scene of Goofy smoking a cigarette that was previously edited on Disney+. On a different note, Disney has actually restored Saludos Amigos on Disney+. 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. 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 balcony. How do you feel about Aladdin? "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. The film was criticised for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia. Why does Aladdin have a warning before it? The casting of Naomi Scott, who is of English and Indian descent, upset some fans and critics who believed the role should have been played by a Middle Eastern actress. Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . The page includes a section explaining in greater detail the negative depictions in certain titles. It may contain outdated cultural depictions" accompany the description of each relevant film on the menu page. 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. But out of all those movies, there are only a handful that have managed to truly capture the hearts of audiences. Supporters of the movie point to the fact that Agrabah, despite being supposedly based on an actual city. 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. 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. All rights reserved. in the 1992 movie. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . But they will not stop playing Aladdin. As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? Guess Disney isnt that offended after all. It actually proves how desperate the Neo-Marxists movement is becoming; they cannot win an open, honest debate; they must invoke feelings of collective anger and mistrust to win short term victories. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. The highly controversial Song of the South (1946) is not available on the streaming service. It's a bunch of small things here or there that most people wouldn't think much about, but it's a good step forward to at least acknowledge the potential for harm or offense even where none was meant. It can also be argued that outrage about Naomi Scott is invalid, given the. Background characters. At the end of the overview, you can also find resources section for further exploration in the classroom. Hang tough The film is an adaptation of a folktale from the 18th-century, Arabic-language collection, . Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? 7. Why does Aladdin have a warning now? But I've realized how problematic Aladdin's character is. I assume it also has to do with being more sensitive towards muslim culture nowadays, as the last twenty years there was quite the bashing for the group as a whole. 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. DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. And if you liked this story,sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. 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. Providing warning labels to minorities like myself does nothing to protect or encourage us in society. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visitwww.disney.com/StoriesMatter. Looking further back, 1940sFantasiahas been criticized for the depiction of a black centaurette called Sunflower polishing the hooves of a white centaurette, as well as another named Otika who briefly appears in the Pastoral Symphonysegment. 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." Think thatll ever happen with divorce rates higher than ever? The decision to introduce the disclaimer came after a consultation with a group of independent experts, who review how media portrays underrepresented groups and advocate for more thoughtful solutions. Not only does Aladdin have a chance to lift a generation of actors from being type-cast as terrorists to the ranks of famous actors, but it also awakens a curiosity among audiences toward the. 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. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. pic.twitter.com/X9aGjXv97o. ", 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 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. Save America from this foolishness before its too late. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" wins big at SAG Awards, HBO's "Succession" will end with season 4, creator says, Richard Belzer, comedian and "Law & Order: SVU" actor, dies at 78, "The Last of Us" creator Neil Druckmann on the series' success, Ryan Seacrest leaving "Live"; Kelly Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos, to step in. I think of Aladdin as the Robin Williams show. The original lyric in the first verse of the song Arabian Nights described Arabia as Where they cut off your ear if they dont like your face. Rather, the story was often presented as a hybrid tale of the exoticized Orient meeting modern English-language styles and fashions, according to one critic. 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. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. Aladdin film poster comparison. 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. But, a completely white cast voiced the film, and the association of Arabs with violence, greed and other negative traits suggested that Hollywood was insensitive at best and xenophobic at worst. 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 Stories Matter page on Disney's site notes the characters' connection to racist minstrel shows. And overdue., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Boycott threatened over transgender inclusion in Hersheys Womans Day promo, Twitch star zaps herself with shock collar live for 1 million fans, gets banned, JK Rowling showing outstanding moral courage as she stands up to vile woke mob, Artist behind Obamas Hope poster, Shepard Fairey, slams cancel culture. 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. Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. He covers basketball and baseball for OutKick.com, chats with the Purple and Gold faithful on LakersNation, and shitposts on Twitter. , earning over $346 million in worldwide box office revenue. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. The movie that inspired her to want a career in film is Lost in Translation. No one thats who. film within a month of its release at the box office. You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, but don't worry we don't spam. What? Yunioshi., We had several people from MANAA talking about the concerns of yellowface and what was wrong with Mickey Rooneys portrayal, he adds. In "Sleeping Beauty," Prince Phillip kisses Aurora while she's unconscious. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. RELATED:Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth. Sonny Skyhawk, founder of American Indians in Film and Television, tells THR thatfilms such as 1995s Pocahontas and 2013s The Lone Rangerrequire the disclaimer due to inaccuracies and insensitivity towards the Native American community. 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. The film remains controversial to this day. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. By casting actors of different nationalities and ethnic groups, the movie was able to showcase a wide range of cultures, giving a platform to voices traditionally omitted in Hollywood. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. The new . , Aladdin sport[ed] a Manchurian queue and Chinese slippers, and the architecture feature[ed] distinctly Chinese pagodas. The emphasis on the Chinese aspects of, during this time period through the use of , (the imitation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art) was especially popular. In Disney's telling of the story, Aladdin is clever, resourceful, and loyal, but underestimated because he is poor. Aladdin wasn't asking for a kingdom or riches. Is it stereotypical? So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Aoki, who has worked with Disney-owned ABC in the past as a part of the Asian Pacific American Media Colation, says he has concerns that the language in the disclaimer would not be understandable to a younger audience, likely the biggest demographic for the massive Disney+ library that dates back over eight decades. The movie follows a street urchin named Aladdin, who finds a magic lamp and genie and helps to save his city from the evil Grand Vizier. While he is technically only a sidekick character, he has a huge part to play in the film. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. 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. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. 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. Don't stand until the rug has come to a complete stop. Credit: Others say that accusations of racism are overwrought. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. You can also see our lesson plan on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. Reviews have been mixed but the film has been popular, nonetheless: the 2019 film surpassed the original film within a month of its release at the box office. How do you see this issue changing in the future? Disney also removed the "This program is presented as originally created" description from Saludos Amigos, which is funny because now the movie is actually presented as originally created. , with $232.4 million domestic and $372.5 million international for the musical remake. Critics say the movie producers have used this melting pot description as an excuse to be lazier in casting. While the majority of films and series that are added to Disney+ continue to be available, some titles, unfortunately, have been removed from Disney+. The live-action reveal is a bit of a surprise. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more information, please see our Yeah, probably not because that message doesnt help them pander. alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian.
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