Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different cultures. One distraction during the film was its odd use of ethnic stereotypes. Walt Disney Studios. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. No. Disney also came under fire for allegedly darkening the skin of white actors and crew members. 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 . The rest of us can FF through that crap, chuckle at it and enjoy the show. Of all Disney films, Song of the South has been perhaps criticized the most thanks to its depiction of African slaves. 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. To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visitwww.disney.com/StoriesMatter. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. 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. In "Sleeping Beauty," Prince Phillip kisses Aurora while she's unconscious. How do you feel about Aladdin? 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. It was even broader than that because we talked about the history of stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian Americans. The disclaimer reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. . For instance, there are racist caricatures in "Dumbo" and . The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. Its a convenient system that insists actors-of-colour need to be household names to be cast, while nobody wants to give them a break. Alexander posted a list of potential actors on Twitter, asking Guy to give me a call., The well-loved soundtrack for the 1992 animation is actually an edited version of the one that was heard in cinemas (Credit: Alamy). Lets be clear, Disney did harm. At that time, it simply noted, "This program is presented as originally created. If anything it highlighted overcoming a class struggle but I guess Marxism has mutated to race and gender now. 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. 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. 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. Just so were clear, Disney made Aladdin. 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 (1992) Critics have expressed concerns over the story's use of Orientalist stereotypes, while casting decisions also came under scrutiny, with Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and the genie . , which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. 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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. RELATED:Disney: COVID Forces Restructure, Puts Greater Focus on Streaming Content. , earning over $346 million in worldwide box office revenue. He covers basketball and baseball for OutKick.com, chats with the Purple and Gold faithful on LakersNation, and shitposts on Twitter. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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 the studios struggle. by Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. 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 . 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? I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? The film was criticised for perpetuating Orientalist stereotypes of the Middle East and Asia. 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. 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. The line you're thinking of is "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. Iconic film critic, Roger Ebert, wrote in his 1992 review: One distraction during the film was its odd use of ethnic stereotypes. And yet, some scholars say the central character could be partly . Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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. 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. Top row shows the 1992 animated cast while below are the actors used in the 2019 live-action version of Aladdin. Throughout the Victorian era, Aladdin sport[ed] a Manchurian queue and Chinese slippers, and the architecture feature[ed] distinctly Chinese pagodas. The emphasis on the Chinese aspects of Aladdin during this time period through the use of chinoiserie (the imitation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art) was especially popular. Non-Christian religions, the countries and . Rather than removing the offensive content, the company said it hopes to "spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. 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. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different cultures. 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. I am cynical by nature. 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. 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. 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.". These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. 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 applies to classics such as Dumbo and Aladdin, which may not be suitable for younger audiences. Why does Aladdin have a warning before it? , in which she sings about not allowing men to silence her. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. 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. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. As part of Disneys Stories Matter initiatives advisory council, Robertson and his colleagues watch films believed to possibly be problematic and then tell Disney their reaction. 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. "Nobody's canceling these movies," he said. 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. Providing warning labels to minorities like myself does nothing to protect or encourage us in society. 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,. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? 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. 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Alan Menken, famed Disney composer, discusses enduring appeal of "Aladdin." The musical visits San Jose this month, with live-action film due in May. 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. That, and the story is loosely rooted in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Easter folk tales. 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. And if you liked this story,sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. 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. Credit: Others say that accusations of racism are overwrought. You are agreeing to OutKick's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, but don't worry we don't spam. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? 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. / CBS News, Disney is adding a disclaimer to some of its old movies that include racist stereotypes, the media giant announced this month. 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. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? Disney said it created an advisory council made up of outside experts who helped the company "assess our content and ensure it accurately represents our global audiences." Disney is now issuing tougher warnings against racial stereotypes in some of its classic films on its Disney+ streaming service. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The original story from November 2019 detailing the original Disney+ content warning is below. "Our job is. Growing up, I loved watching Aladdin, just like any other child that enjoyed Disney movies. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." Disney. Privacy Policy. 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. That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? In Richard Burton's telling, the "hero" is shallow, lazy, greedy, and easily. I think you might be right. The meetings are held virtually and are very raw according to one attendee. 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. Twenty-seven years ago, Disneys animated version of. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? , with $232.4 million domestic and $372.5 million international for the musical remake. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. This thread is archived The Aristocats, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson and more now have stronger content warnings. A content advisory notice for racism in classic Disney films, in place since last year, has been updated with a strengthened message. 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.. Its either that or the children are rebelling against authority. 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. To learn more about how stories have impacted society visit Disney.com/storiesmatter, First off, when did Disney suddenly become a Civil Rights movement? Today, Disneys new content, as well as all its properties, now pushes a radical, left-wing agenda harmful to children and the nuclear family. Even real-life cities are melting pots of different languages, racial and ethnic groups, and religions, just as Agrabah is. The live-action reveal is a bit of a surprise. to be set somewhere in the Middle East. While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. Background characters wear clothing from a wide array of cultures, including Afghan payraans, Indian saris, Omani daggers, and turbans from multiple cultures. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. 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. 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. Aladdin never had a content warning until now, but the edited version has always been on Disney+. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. 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. Source. Disney+ wants to say theyre focused on inspirational themes while half the children in Disney films have dead parents. 5. The movie that inspired her to want a career in film is Lost in Translation. 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. Save America from this foolishness before its too late. 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. It is also important to think about all the improvements the 2019 movie made over the 1992 adaptation (see #3 on this list above!). For more information, please see our The film is an adaptation of a folktale from the 18th-century, Arabic-language collection, A Thousand and One Nights. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. After Mr. Jennifer Bisset is a Senior Editor for CNET. Otherwise they wouldnt seek to continue to make money off of their offensive, racist creation. in the new adaptation. She won Best New Journalist in 2019 at the Australian IT Journalism Awards. 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. We just let them know that it is a piece of media from another time, Skorodin says. 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. Heck if the salesman is racist, The whole cartoon is. 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). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. We've received your submission. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. 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. 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. 6. 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. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. (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. 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. Since Disney Plus launched last November, experts have criticized the soft language used in its disclaimer on older titles like 1941's Dumbo, that warned films "may contain outdated cultural depictions.". She covers film and TV news and reviews. for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Jasmine was also given a more complex plot line in the new adaptation. ALADDIN: Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince! It may contain outdated cultural depictions" accompany the description of each relevant film on the menu page. 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. 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. on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. Jungle Bookreceived a disclaimer, yet its 2003 animated sequel did not. Given that is fictional, whos to say it cant include many different races and ethnic backgrounds? The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM The films with the updated disclaimer includePeter Pan, Dumbo, Lady andthe Tramp, Fantasia,The Jungle BookandSwiss Family Robinson, among others. Fantasy worlds are not meant to perfectly align with real-life racial boundaries. Aladdin is one of the greatest animated movies of all time and one of the main reasons behind that is the Genie character. Thats basically what they did and its the arrogance of Hollywood and the arrogance of Disney to say its our idea, its our money and were going to do it, whether you like it or not.. March 16, 2021, 12:54 pmupdated March 16, 2021, 1:46 pm Whether the new film-makers choose to stand in the old guard or vanguard remains to be seen. Some accused Disney of reinforcing notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. 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. It just reminds me of apu from the simpsons, where they got such a backlash that the voice actor now quit doing his voice. Proponents of the film also encourage focusing on the great strides the 2019 film made in being more diverse and inclusive. 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. 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.. CBS News has reached out to the Walt Disney Company for more information. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? Why does Aladdin have a warning now? Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? 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. Is it stereotypical? This week saw the death of Dr Jack Shaheen, one of the most respected and loudest critics of the vilification of Arabs in Hollywood, who successfully campaigned for offensive lyrics to be changed in the original Aladdin soundtrack.