why does aladdin have a disclaimer

2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jungle Bookreceived a disclaimer, yet its 2003 animated sequel did not. The disclaimer reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. 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. Growing up, I loved watching Aladdin, just like any other child that enjoyed Disney movies. 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 . The line you're thinking of is "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. film within a month of its release at the box office. Fantasy worlds are not meant to perfectly align with real-life racial boundaries. While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. See some of the major differences between the films in this chart designed by our summer interns. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. All rights reserved. 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. Otherwise they wouldnt seek to continue to make money off of their offensive, racist creation. I think of Aladdin as the Robin Williams show. 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.. Cookie Notice Prior to all their films, and outside all their theme parks, Disney should display this disclaimer: Disney once made programming for children which, while entertaining millions of viewers of all ages, also brought diverse cultures and races together. / CBS News, Disney is adding a disclaimer to some of its old movies that include racist stereotypes, the media giant announced this month. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The meetings are held virtually and are very raw according to one attendee. October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 16, 2021 This is pretty much the progressive movement in a nutshell. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Disney is the only media outlet who can show Aladdin. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? 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. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. That is even more important in an era of mass media, all-you-can-watch online streaming. 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. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? "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.". 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. Twenty-seven years ago, Disneys animated version of. I cant wait until Disney finally puts a warning label on their films portraying marriage like the fantasy that its never been. While Agrabah is apparently described as this melting pot of ethnicities, that concept comes from the deeply-problematic 1992 animated film. Yes. Its either that or the children are rebelling against authority. "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. It may contain outdated cultural depictions" accompany the description of each relevant film on the menu page. If anything it highlighted overcoming a class struggle but I guess Marxism has mutated to race and gender now. Bollywood is an entire industry made up of talents like this and the Middle East has equally as much talent. But maybe thats the issue that Disney and other major corporations cant seem to understand. She won Best New Journalist in 2019 at the Australian IT Journalism Awards. But now Disney is offended by its own creation, so it slaps a warning on Aladdin. 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. 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. Disney+ updated its policy toward its films containing offensive material, posting a new disclaimer and adding new movies to its list of programs that feature "negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures." That, and the story is loosely rooted in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Easter folk tales. 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. No plug forthcoming. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. 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. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Aladdin is one of them. Yunioshi., We had several people from MANAA talking about the concerns of yellowface and what was wrong with Mickey Rooneys portrayal, he adds. 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. Why is there so little Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim (or other minority group) representation in film and television? Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Aoki, who has worked with Disney-owned ABC in the past as a part of the Asian Pacific American Media Colation, says he has concerns that the language in the disclaimer would not be understandable to a younger audience, likely the biggest demographic for the massive Disney+ library that dates back over eight decades. On Oct. 15, Disney Plus introduced a new disclaimer that appears before older films like Dumbo (1941) and Aladdin (1992), warning viewers that the films include harmful stereotypes. Given that is fictional, whos to say it cant include many different races and ethnic backgrounds? Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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.. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Disney+ should be a dying brandjust like the Grammys. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. Aoki believes it should specifically note what the issue of each film is, rather than offering up an ambiguous line. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. 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 . Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. Walt Disney Studios. (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. 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. The movie itself never explicitly states where in the real world the story is taking place, so all fans can do is speculate. 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. Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. Why or why not? Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? , earning over $346 million in worldwide box office revenue. Ditch Disney plus there. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. has been questioned over its casting woes, theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search, The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw. Disney also puts silly, PC warning labels before much of its back catalog of films. Aladdin is one of the greatest animated movies of all time and one of the main reasons behind that is the Genie character. 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. A Syrian named Hanna Diyab did apparently meet with Galland at some point, but it remains unclear how much, if any, of the story came from him. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Screen capture from, In May 2019, Disney released a live-action version of. 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. The film is an adaptation of a folktale from the 18th-century, Arabic-language collection, A Thousand and One Nights. 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. The company said that while. to be set somewhere in the Middle East. The live-action reveal is a bit of a surprise. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. The Stories Matter page on Disney's site notes the characters' connection to racist minstrel shows. It shows them speaking in an unintelligible language and repeatedly refers to them as "redskins," an offensive term. Is it okay to watch a movie if it includes offensive parts? Non-Christian religions, the countries and . It reads: "This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. 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. It was even broader than that because we talked about the history of stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian Americans. Supporters of the movie point to the fact that Agrabah, despite being supposedly based on an actual city. It just reminds me of apu from the simpsons, where they got such a backlash that the voice actor now quit doing his voice. Hang tough 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. 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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 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. Abby Monteil. 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. Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? 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. Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not Pocahontas? , in which she sings about not allowing men to silence her. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversations to create a more inclusive future together., Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. 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. 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. 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. Nobodys canceling these movies, he said. 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. Save America from this foolishness before its too late. ', Skyhawk notes that even with disclaimers, the damage created by outdated depictions will be difficult to erase: That having been said, Im just glad that were now entering a new phase of sensitivity towards minorities and including the native people of America that is long overdue.. 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. 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. After Mr. Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. 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. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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. 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. In Disneys animatedPocahontas, the most striking inaccuracies are her age (she was a child when she met Captain John Smith, according to Encyclopedia Britannica) and there was no real romantic relationship between the two. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? First published on October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct, This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. 5. KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. Bias/Anecdote: While I can't remember too much about Aladdin specifically that might call for this (the changed line about cutting off your hand during the opening theme comes to mind, but that's already been removed), the overall tone plays on a great deal of stereotype tropes for Middle-Eastern cultures that aren't really that accurate or true, or are at least heavily exaggerated. Just so were clear, Disney made Aladdin. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. Answer: Well I don't know which version they are showing, but in the origubal the salesman in the beginning sings that in the east they cut off your tongue and ears or something in that fashion when they catch you stealing, which is considered stereotyping. "Nobody's canceling these movies," he said. The only mention of her is when the Sultan says Jasmine's mother "wasn't nearly so picky" when it came to choosing a husband. Critics say the movie producers have used this melting pot description as an excuse to be lazier in casting. But just which films and shows meet the criteria for the disclaimer is not clear. Jasmine can be seen wearing one of her mother's bracelets in the live-action movie. Disney films have been a mainstay in many people's childhoods for generations, but some elements of them don't hold up today. 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.". Creating a diverse and primarily non-white cast for the film was a huge step in accurately portraying a land set in the Middle East and moving towards greater diversity in Hollywood. The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. 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. I am cynical by nature. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. 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. After Mr. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. 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. Yes, Skorodin says. On a different note, Disney has actually restored Saludos Amigos on Disney+. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. No one thats who. 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. 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. 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. 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. Authenticity was not a major consideration. After Mr. 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 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." did apparently meet with Galland at some point, but it remains unclear how much, if any, of the story came from him. Whether he is giving out comedic moments or being incredibly sincere, he is a perfect character. 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. This was inevitable. 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? Heres a version of that warning, which is notably more in-depth than the one-sentence warning that Disney has implemented. ", 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.". Aladdin wasn't asking for a kingdom or riches. 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. This isnt the first time that Disney has been criticised in relation to Aladdin. We coulda sworn we went to Disneyland and waited in line for two hours to be entertainednot for an education.. It might also have to do with some version of whitewashing, as most of the voice actors are white people? EspeciallywithAladdin, with those orientalized tropes that were kind of pushing back against.. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Is it stereotypical? 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. 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. 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.

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