Please review Rule 4 and this post before making a top level comment: I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. 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. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? Aladdin(1992), which previously did not have a warning, has been added to the list. After Mr. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures," the statement reads. Disney's policy here is also sketchy considering the sheer amount of content still edited on Disney+. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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like the original 1941 Dumbo, The Aristocats, Jungle Book, the 1955 animated Lady and the Tramp all feature the same outdated culturual depictions warning. 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. 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. 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. Even real-life cities are melting pots of different languages, racial and ethnic groups, and religions, just as Agrabah is. In Disney's telling of the story, Aladdin is clever, resourceful, and loyal, but underestimated because he is poor. Rather, the story was often presented as a hybrid tale of the exoticized Orient meeting modern English-language styles and fashions,. The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct, This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. This supports the idea that Genie only changes Aladdin's appearance, which he also indirectly confirms a few lines later: The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. Authenticity was not a major consideration. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group. Rather than removing the offensive content, the company said it hopes to "spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. We talked to people at Disney about that depiction I said there are probably a hundred [Native] people of that caliber that can do that and yet youre going to try and force Johnny Depp down our throat, says Skyhawk. Aladdin earned $604.9 million worldwide after a little over two weeks in release, with $232.4 million domestic and $372.5 million international for the musical remake. To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit. 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 . What? Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? 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? Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. Gary Sheffield, Jr Providing warning labels to minorities like myself does nothing to protect or encourage us in society. ", 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.". 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. 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? Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Reviews have been mixed but the film has been popular, nonetheless: the. And yet, some scholars say the central character could be partly . Back in 1992, Shaheen cited cable television and videocassettes as making it easy for stereotypes to travel far and wide. 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. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. Don't stand until the rug has come to a complete stop. Abby Monteil. The line you're thinking of is "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. , which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. "Our job is. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. As a matter of fact, it only makes us feel like we should start becoming filmmakers and replace those who have anointed themselves as our leaders. 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. 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? The only question is how to best address this. Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. Warner Brothers has included these on a number of older cartoons, rather than erase the cartoons or remove them from circulation or the like, and Disney now appears to be following suit with some of their older work. Is it stereotypical? It can also be argued that outrage about Naomi Scott is invalid, given the. 1. 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. We can therefore assume that Genie only focused on making Aladdin a prince so that he could have a shot with Jasmine. Yeah, probably not because that message doesnt help them pander. Aoki believes it should specifically note what the issue of each film is, rather than offering up an ambiguous line. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . 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.. "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. by 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. However, experts continued to criticize the soft language used in the old Disney Plus disclaimers. At that time, it simply noted, "This program is presented as originally created. Hang tough Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. Disney is now issuing tougher warnings against racial stereotypes in some of its classic films on its Disney+ streaming service. notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. 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. 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. Disney+ wants to say theyre focused on inspirational themes while half the children in Disney films have dead parents. 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. The company said that while it can't change he past, "we can acknowledge it, learn from it and move forward together.". While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. film within a month of its release at the box office. has been questioned over its casting woes, theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search, The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw. 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 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. Disney is the only media outlet who can show Aladdin. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different cultures. 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. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different cultures. As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. 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. 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.. Jasmine's mother is barely a thought in the 1992 animated movie. 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. ALADDIN: Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince! 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. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. 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. Some accused Disney of reinforcing notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. Nobodys canceling these movies, he said. Ditch Disney plus there. The song Arabian Nights, which initially referred to Agrabah as a place where they cut off your ear if they dont like your face/its barbaric, but hey, its home, has altered lyrics. 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. 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. 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. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. The problems in Alladin specifically, I believe, are that an Arabic accent was used only for the villain, songs had racist lyrics, and there were very inaccurate and stereotyped portrayals of the entire setting/region. It was even broader than that because we talked about the history of stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian Americans. Ultimately, crap like this needs to earn a place for my time and effort based on the marketplace, but until the culture gets steered back toward truth and Capitalism, I can tolerate this silliness. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. 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. 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. 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 names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. Archived post. ", clearly implying it's cutting off the hand. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . 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+ has a huge library of hundreds of movies and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. 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. 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. 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 disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. 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. 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. 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. Lets be clear, Disney did harm. Disney did not respond toTHRs request for comment. 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. members. The live-action reveal is a bit of a surprise. See some of the major differences between the films in this chart designed by our summer interns. 3. The new statement is more strongly worded than one Disneytacked onto some films when Disney+ first rolled out last year. 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. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? In the examples below, the illustration of Aladdin on the left, circa 1930 by an unknown artist, (Credit: Getty Images/Hulton Archive), and the illustration on the right from the early 20th century (Credit: Alamy), both clearly depict Asian clothing and settings. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 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 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. 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. Which iirc got changed to "With winds in the east and the sun from the west, where the sand and the glass is bright". They want to make up for any offensive messaging they may have been a part of, Robertson told the publication. While Agrabah is apparently described as this melting pot of ethnicities, that concept comes from the deeply-problematic 1992 animated film. Of all Disney films, Song of the South has been perhaps criticized the most thanks to its depiction of African slaves. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. The highly controversial Song of the South (1946) is not available on the streaming service. 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. TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. We coulda sworn we went to Disneyland and waited in line for two hours to be entertainednot for an education.. It worked. There are a number of reasons why these titles are removed. alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. 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. There wasnt so much a backlash for Apu, Rather a shitty Asian comic realised he would get some media attention by claiming it to be racist.Now Asians are out of a character that was a representation of their culture at the start of the simpsons show. 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. Delivered Wednesdays. Aladdin never had a content warning until now, but the edited version has always been on Disney+. RELATED:Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth. 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 is one of them. Warner Bros. featured a similar warning regarding some of its older cartoons, such as Tom & Jerry, which appeared on Amazon, according to CinemaBlend. 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. 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. On a different note, Disney has actually restored Saludos Amigos on Disney+. 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. It may contain outdated cultural depictions." Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Jungle Bookreceived a disclaimer, yet its 2003 animated sequel did not. 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. Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. are plenty other streamers out there. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? "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.". , in which she sings about not allowing men to silence her. 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. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr. "Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all." The new disclaimer appears on screen before the start of movies like Aladdin, The Aristocats, Dumbo, Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson and The Three Caballeros. The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song, Speechless, in which she sings about not allowing men to silence her. It may contain outdated cultural depictions" accompany the description of each relevant film on the menu page. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. 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. 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. 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. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. UPDATE: Disney has updated their content warning on Disney+ to an unskippable, 12-second message in front of controversial movies or shorts. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. The film remains controversial to this day. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, but don't worry we don't spam. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. 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. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. 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. The Aristocats, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson and more now have stronger content warnings. In Richard Burton's telling, the "hero" is shallow, lazy, greedy, and easily. Non-Christian religions, the countries and . and our 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. This thread is archived Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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). 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. 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. Gary-I have to say I really look forward to your posts; you have extremely interesting, independent and logically defensible takes on a variety of subjects. All rights reserved. You can also see. 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. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. 6. Think thatll ever happen with divorce rates higher than ever? Guess Disney isnt that offended after all. Ian Skorodin, director of strategy and outreach for the Barcid Foundation (a Native American non-profit organization), adds that it is unfortunate thatPocahontas did not receive a disclaimer. Probably some more stuff political invorrect stuff while they show how the people act in town, depicting the way they act in a negative way? How do you feel about Aladdin? The decision to attach this message to some animated films was met with both praise from people who viewed it as an accountability measure and criticism from those who thought its wording was. Disney+ should be a dying brandjust like the Grammys. 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. Otherwise they wouldnt seek to continue to make money off of their offensive, racist creation.
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