Its either that or the children are rebelling against authority. 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. 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Its been revealed that theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search because of a difficulty in finding a singing, dancing actor who is Middle Eastern or Indian to play the title role. After Mr. 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. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Theyre unqualified, and its time for minorities in this country to start ignoring these major corporations that stunt double as our parents. "These shouldn't be watched by children by themselves," Daryl Sparkes, senior lecturer of media studies and production at the University of Southern Queensland, told CNET, "because children are like little sponges and they soak up attitudes and feelings and opinions.". Aladdin is one of the greatest animated movies of all time and one of the main reasons behind that is the Genie character. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. But they will not stop playing 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. Additionally, 1992s animatedAladdin, criticized for its racist depictions of West Asian culture, does not feature the warning in its synopsis. 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, At the end of the overview, you can also find. 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. Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not - reddit 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. Gary Sheffield, Jr Many have referenced the WB. 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. It reads: "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Others defended Scott, noting that the story includes Indian aspects, Agrabah is meant to be a melting pot of cultures, and Jasmines mother is said to be from another land, making it entirely plausible that Jasmine could be an Indian woman. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? He also asked the producers to respect Islam and to add a humane character, Aladdins mother, an Arab woman willing to sacrifice everything for her sons happiness.. 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. 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 . And if you liked this story,sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. (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. 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. Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. 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. for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. There are a number of reasons why these titles are removed. 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. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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,. 'Aladdin' Among Films Given Content Warnings - Inside the Magic / 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 Disney+ should be a dying brandjust like the Grammys. If anything it highlighted overcoming a class struggle but I guess Marxism has mutated to race and gender now. 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. So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Authenticity was not a major consideration. 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. Alan Menken, famed Disney composer, discusses enduring appeal of "Aladdin." The musical visits San Jose this month, with live-action film due in May. Growing up, I loved watching Aladdin, just like any other child that enjoyed Disney movies. Disney claimed they included white extras only in a handful of instances when it was a matter of specialty skills, safety and control, but many still criticized the company for not taking the opportunity to hire more actors and crew members of Middle Eastern and South Asian heritage. An adamant defender of The Last Jedi and the series finale of Lost, he can be reached at sam.g@cbr.com or through his Twitter, @SamMgelman. That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. Twenty-seven years ago, Disneys animated version of. Its a complete waste of time for our children who will eventually become whining Disney adults. For more information, please see our And welcomed. The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. 6. 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. 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. , 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. 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. ', As 10 million Disney+ subscribers browse through the new streaming platforms hefty film and TV library, a line at the end of select content summaries might catch their attention: This program is presented as originally created. March 16, 2021, 12:54 pmupdated March 16, 2021, 1:46 pm On a different note, Disney has actually restored Saludos Amigos on Disney+. "Our job is. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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, Aladdin didnt fare well with critics. Proponents of the film also encourage focusing on the great strides the 2019 film made in being more diverse and inclusive. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? 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. Of all Disney films, Song of the South has been perhaps criticized the most thanks to its depiction of African slaves. First noticed by Twitter user @324_B21, and reported by Mashable, films like the original 1941 Dumbo, The Aristocats, Jungle Book, the 1955 animated Lady and the Tramp all feature the same outdated culturual depictions warning. Aladdin's responsibility in a culturally insensitive world - Hypable Disney Adds Warnings for Racist Stereotypes to Some Older Films What is the hidden message in Aladdin? - Sage-Advices "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 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. 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 remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. 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. Jinns Lebanese director Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya has said, this is a great opportunity to portray Arab youth in a very unique way. Aladdin is one of them. 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. The films with the updated disclaimer includePeter Pan, Dumbo, Lady andthe Tramp, Fantasia,The Jungle BookandSwiss Family Robinson, among others. "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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. EspeciallywithAladdin, with those orientalized tropes that were kind of pushing back against.. She won Best New Journalist in 2019 at the Australian IT Journalism Awards. 2. Disney's policy here is also sketchy considering the sheer amount of content still edited on Disney+. For instance, there are racist caricatures in "Dumbo" and . 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. Santa's Workshop, Three Little Pigs, Clock Cleaners, Fantasia, The Rescuers, Toy Story 2, and a lot more programs are still edited for controversial content. Im pretty sure during the 60s all the way up to the 90s cutting off the hands of thieves was an actual punishment in sharia law.So its not racist to point out a system of law - dictated by a book - in the part of the world it directly influenced and thus gave inspiration for a fictional versionagrabah. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. 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. 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. Background characters wear clothing from a wide array of cultures, including Afghan payraans, Indian saris, Omani daggers, and turbans from multiple cultures. Theyre suddenly switching lanes (without putting on their signal, I should add) and trying to educate when they should just be creating a fun environment. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 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. It just reminds me of apu from the simpsons, where they got such a backlash that the voice actor now quit doing his voice. We can therefore assume that Genie only focused on making Aladdin a prince so that he could have a shot with Jasmine. The film is an adaptation of a folktale from the 18th-century, Arabic-language collection, . 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. Disney holds monthly meetings to determine what content in its archive needs to have a warning added. It worked. Disney Plus adds content warning to animated movies criticized as 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. It would be helpful if they were more specific as to whats the problem because I think people can learn from this, he says. "Nobody's canceling these movies," he said. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, Disney+ Updates Offensive Content Disclaimer for Aladdin, Peter Pan and More, Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth, Disney: COVID Forces Restructure, Puts Greater Focus on Streaming Content, Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy, REVIEW: Frank Miller Presents Ancient Enemies: The Djinni #1 Crafts a Compelling Origin Story, REVIEW: DC's Shazam! Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. 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. That was really fantastic of [Paramount] to do that., Ghanizada says the language feels similar to the warning that this program contains nudity or violence, adding that it is a broad catchall. 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. 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. Abby Monteil. 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? 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. 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. Back in 1992, Shaheen cited cable television and videocassettes as making it easy for stereotypes to travel far and wide. Why Does 'Fixer to Fabulous' Star Jenny Marrs Hate This One Feature So 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. Otherwise they wouldnt seek to continue to make money off of their offensive, racist creation. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Guiver makes points to show that Aladdin is the only character next to his Disney contemporaries who doesn't have this particular anatomy, but actually, Disney has somewhat of a reputation when . Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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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. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? Credit: Others say that accusations of racism are overwrought. Alladin quotes? - Memes Feel To learn more about how stories have impacted society visit: www.Disney.com/StoriesMatter.". ", Disney said the decision is part of its "ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion." The film and its creators refused to do the work of normalizing and humanizing people of color for American audiences. They want to make up for any offensive messaging they may have been a part of, Robertson told the publication. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? Since Disney is so horrified of its own movie, perhaps they should return the hundreds of millions of dollars they made off it. 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.. The film remains controversial to this day. I would hope that Disney would do it for all the films that might include some things that are a little outdated, says Azita Ghanizada, founder of MENA (Middle Eastern North African) Arts Advocacy Coalition. Here is that wording. Rather, the story was often presented as a hybrid tale of the exoticized Orient meeting modern English-language styles and fashions,. 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. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. Disney Princesses Who Suffer From Some Kind Of Mental Disorder - TheRichest You know, I actually dont mind this in one respect for now; it gives the reactionary, mob something to point at as evidence they are doing something to educate. KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. 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 Plus Offers Warnings Over 'Outdated Cultural Depictions - IGN Aladdin Racist Disney Movie Arab Portrayal Controversy - Refinery29