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. 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. 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. To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. That, and the story is loosely rooted in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Easter folk tales. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? The only question is how to best address this. 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. 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. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home". The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. Save America from this foolishness before its too late. As the film-makers of the new live-action remake of Aladdin struggle to cast their hero, Sophia Smith Galer looks at the troubled history of the Disney classic. Today, Disneys new content, as well as all its properties, now pushes a radical, left-wing agenda harmful to children and the nuclear family. 8. 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. 3. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. 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. You can also see. Best New Journalist 2019 Australian IT Journalism Awards, experts have criticized the soft language used in its disclaimer, disclaimer acknowledging the "harmful impact" of racist stereotypes, a page titled Stories Matter on the Disney website, racist material in their back catalogs, such as Gone With the Wind, The best movies to watch on Disney Plus for Thanksgiving, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures," the statement reads. 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 company said that while it can't change he past, "we can acknowledge it, learn from it and move forward together.". 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. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? It protects the filmmaker from feedback. Just so were clear, Disney made Aladdin. 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. Gambling related content is not intended for anyone under the age of 21. 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. 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. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. Aoki believes it should specifically note what the issue of each film is, rather than offering up an ambiguous line. Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. 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. DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. The Aristocats, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson and more now have stronger content warnings. Outrage flared again when Disney announced that they had cast white actor Billy Magnussen in a newly-created role of a Scandinavian prince vying for Jasmines attention. 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. Aladdin was criticised for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia (Credit: Alamy), Daniel Newman, professor of Arabic at Durham University, acknowledges that Western portrayals have come a long way from the lotus-eating, Orientalist fantasies of yesteryear, but barring a few exceptions, what has happened is that one clich has been replaced by another; from the scimitar-wielding lascivious Arab, we have gone to the bomb-wielding terrorist Arab. While some moderate characters have been introduced in shows such as Homeland, he says, the pervading feeling is one of threat, based primarily if not exclusively on religion., Id ask the animators to add benevolent market-vendors and heroic guards who befriend Aladdin, Shaheen said of the 1992 Aladdin, conscious of the image of Middle-Eastern people that might be made on the films young viewers. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. The film remains controversial to this day. 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 1952 version of the story below! Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Think thatll ever happen with divorce rates higher than ever? ", Disney said the decision is part of its "ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion." Previously, Disney had the line "This program is presented as originally created. Nobodys canceling these movies, he said. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. "Our job is. The meetings are held virtually and are very raw according to one attendee. The company said that while. Take a look at both sides of the argument: Watch the trailer for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. You can also see our lesson plan on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. But now Disney is offended by its own creation, so it slaps a warning on Aladdin. ', 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. 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. 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. 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 level of authenticity Netflix is trying to achieve with this show is definitely what attracted me the most to be part of this project.. An adamant defender of The Last Jedi and the series finale of Lost, he can be reached at [email protected] or through his Twitter, @SamMgelman. A lot. Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. Disney also puts silly, PC warning labels before much of its back catalog of films. Top row shows the 1992 animated cast while below are the actors used in the 2019 live-action version of Aladdin. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Several representatives of minority advocacy groups spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their reactions to the Disney+ disclaimer for films such as 1967's 'The Jungle Book' and 1953's 'Peter Pan. However, when Aladdin points this out, the Genie insists Aladdin cannot have any more free wishes: GENIE: (Still as stewardess) Thank you for choosing Magic Carpet for all your travel needs. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. I am cynical by nature. As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. 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. 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. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. The new message plays before all of the listed films for about 10 seconds and cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. But they will not stop playing Aladdin. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? Credit: Others say that accusations of racism are overwrought. It just reminds me of apu from the simpsons, where they got such a backlash that the voice actor now quit doing his voice. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. But out of all those movies, there are only a handful that have managed to truly capture the hearts of audiences. 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. 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. 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 . "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. The sultan's palace in Aladdin, left, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. But its good that Disney is protecting the world from what they have deemed racist Middle Eastern tropes invented by none other than people from the Middle East. Which iirc got changed to "With winds in the east and the sun from the west, where the sand and the glass is bright". 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. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. Yes. 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. Ditch Disney plus there. But, he adds, with Native American actress Irene Bedard as the voice of Pocahontas in the film, some in his community might both enjoy and accept it as presented. 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. in the new adaptation. Delivered Wednesdays. A similar decision was recently made by HBO Max for the classic, yet problematic, film Gone With the Wind. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct, This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. 5. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. A lot of it is, honestly, hard to tell or point out when you're not part of the group involved. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. Jinns Lebanese director Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya has said, this is a great opportunity to portray Arab youth in a very unique way. Don Owens. Is it stereotypical? The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. 2. 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. Jennifer Bisset is a Senior Editor for CNET. 6. , 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. The Middle East has a robust entertainment industry and creative voices in the region regularly share their stories through film, television, music and other media forms. 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 . Panoramic view of Agrabah from the 2019 shows real-seeming landscape featuring buildings with Islamic architecture. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. 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. 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. Privacy Policy. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish. While Agrabah is apparently described as this melting pot of ethnicities, that concept comes from the deeply-problematic 1992 animated film. UPDATE: Disney has updated their content warning on Disney+ to an unskippable, 12-second message in front of controversial movies or shorts. "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.". Authenticity was not a major consideration. The page includes a section explaining in greater detail the negative depictions in certain titles. It worked. 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. Mar 1, 2023. 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. Aladdin Now Has A Warning Screen On Disney+, Mike Brey Ready For Something New As He Steps Away From Notre Dame After 23 Years, Rick Carlisles Character On Display As Pacers Honor Late Indiana Media Legend David Benner With Cool Gesture, Keith Olbermann Calls For The Burning Of Disney World In Front Of DeSantis, Scientists Suggest Brilliant Strategy Of Blocking Out The Sun To Stop Climate Change. Even real-life cities are melting pots of different languages, racial and ethnic groups, and religions, just as Agrabah is. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? Heres a version of that warning, which is notably more in-depth than the one-sentence warning that Disney has implemented. 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. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. In updating the film and its content, 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. KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. , which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. She won Best New Journalist in 2019 at the Australian IT Journalism Awards. 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,. RELATED:Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth. 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. 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. Aladdin's racism feels lazy. Given that is fictional, whos to say it cant include many different races and ethnic backgrounds? "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.
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