for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. 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. 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.. Disney also came under fire for allegedly darkening the skin of white actors and crew members. 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. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home". To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit. 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. All I can say is, like lightning, beware of the cancel culture mob-you are sharp with a mind of your own and as you become better known I am afraid you will become a target. 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. 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. ", 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.". 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. Ditch Disney plus there. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. 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. "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.". The crows in Dumbo. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr. Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Overall, group representatives say they appreciate efforts made by Disney to recognize outdated cultural depictions while advocating for films likeAladdinor 1995sPocahontasto also receive the disclaimer. 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. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. 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. Previously, Disney had the line "This program is presented as originally created. Why does Aladdin have a warning now? Gary Sheffield Jr is the son of should-be MLB Hall of Famer, Gary Sheffield. film within a month of its release at the box office. 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. 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. Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. Yet, they and their media family, (like ESPN) are always the first in line seeking to cancel anything that remotely upsets them. Hang tough Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. Cookie Notice Privacy Policy. How do you feel about Aladdin? No. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . 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. The original movie contains a scene of Goofy smoking a cigarette that was previously edited on Disney+. 17 moments in Disney movies that haven't aged well. Abby Monteil. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. 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. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. I am cynical by nature. That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? 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. For more, Xbox Game Pass Is Having its Best Stretch Ever, Attack on Titan Fans Are Desperately Searching for The Final Season Part 3's First Episode Online, The Flash: The Arrowverse's Red Death Isn't Who We Thought, $30 Million Worth of Funko Products are Being Sent to a Landfill, Atomic Heart Faces Backlash on Multiple Fronts, all the movies and shows on or coming soon to Disney Plus, The Simpsons Hit and Run Designer Wants to See a Remake - IGN Daily Fix. TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." Whether the new film-makers choose to stand in the old guard or vanguard remains to be seen. First noticed by Twitter user @324_B21, and reported by Mashable, films like the original 1941 Dumbo, The Aristocats, Jungle Book, the 1955 animated Lady and the Tramp all feature the same outdated culturual depictions warning. Aladdin film poster comparison. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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 . Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. The new . KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. 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. 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. 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. First published on October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM. A content advisory notice for racism in classic Disney films, in place since last year, has been updated with a strengthened message. However, the outbreak of the first Gulf War (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. 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." Credit: , 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. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. 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. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. 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. Proponents of the film also encourage focusing on the great strides the 2019 film made in being more diverse and inclusive. So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, Disney+ Updates Offensive Content Disclaimer for Aladdin, Peter Pan and More, Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth, Disney: COVID Forces Restructure, Puts Greater Focus on Streaming Content, Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy, REVIEW: Frank Miller Presents Ancient Enemies: The Djinni #1 Crafts a Compelling Origin Story, REVIEW: DC's Shazam! A lot of it is, honestly, hard to tell or point out when you're not part of the group involved. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. Original cartoon versions of movies such as Dumbo, The Jungle Book . 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 . Some other Disney films, like Fantasia, Aladdin, and Peter Pan, have been criticized as well, but notably, Disneys Song of the South remains absent from the service. Since Disney is so horrified of its own movie, perhaps they should return the hundreds of millions of dollars they made off it. members. 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. Edit: forgot to write "answer", so i copypasted my original vomment. 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. 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. 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, alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. 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. 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. "Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.". Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Similarly, The Jungle Book has been criticized for employing some African/African-American racial stereotypes to depict a group of monkeys, even going so far as to have another character call them mangy and flea-picking, among other problematic elements. 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. "Our job is. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. 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.. 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. The company said that while. The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song. Jasmine was also given a more complex plot line in the new adaptation. Jennifer Bisset is a Senior Editor for CNET. 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. And overdue., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Boycott threatened over transgender inclusion in Hersheys Womans Day promo, Twitch star zaps herself with shock collar live for 1 million fans, gets banned, JK Rowling showing outstanding moral courage as she stands up to vile woke mob, Artist behind Obamas Hope poster, Shepard Fairey, slams cancel culture. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. In Disney's telling of the story, Aladdin is clever, resourceful, and loyal, but underestimated because he is poor. Aladdin never had a content warning until now, but the edited version has always been on Disney+. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. But I've realized how problematic Aladdin's character is. A subreddit to help you keep up to date with what's going on with reddit and other stuff. pic.twitter.com/X9aGjXv97o. Back in 1992, Shaheen cited cable television and videocassettes as making it easy for stereotypes to travel far and wide. 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. Aladdin (/ l d n / -LAD-in; Arabic: , Al ud-Dn/ Al ad-Dn, IPA: [ala addin], ATU 561, 'Aladdin') is a Middle-Eastern folk tale.It is one of the best-known tales associated with The Book of One Thousand and One Nights (The Arabian Nights), despite not being part of the original text; it was added by the Frenchman Antoine Galland, based . An adamant defender of The Last Jedi and the series finale of Lost, he can be reached at sam.g@cbr.com or through his Twitter, @SamMgelman. 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. But now Disney is offended by its own creation, so it slaps a warning on Aladdin. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. 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. 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. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. While the majority of films and series that are added to Disney+ continue to be available, some titles, unfortunately, have been removed from Disney+. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. But just which films and shows meet the criteria for the disclaimer is not clear. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 16, 2021 Become a home entertainment expert with our handpicked tips, reviews and deals. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? 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. It would be helpful if they were more specific as to whats the problem because I think people can learn from this, he says. 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. Yeah, probably not because that message doesnt help them pander. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. We coulda sworn we went to Disneyland and waited in line for two hours to be entertainednot for an education.. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different 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. Critics say the movie producers have used this melting pot description as an excuse to be lazier in casting. 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. The new message plays before all of the listed films for about 10 seconds and cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. The full cigarette scene is now there at the 24:00 mark for anybody who is curious. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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. Disney also removed the "This program is presented as originally created" description from Saludos Amigos, which is funny because now the movie is actually presented as originally created. That is even more important in an era of mass media, all-you-can-watch online streaming. 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. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? They want to make up for any offensive messaging they may have been a part of, Robertson told the publication. Jasmine's mother is barely a thought in the 1992 animated movie. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. The line you're thinking of is "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. 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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong 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. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? 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 be set somewhere in the Middle East. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . Why is there so little Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim (or other minority group) representation in film and television? A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. 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 its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. ', 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.. 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! Why does Aladdin have a warning before it? See some of the major differences between the films in this chart designed by our summer interns. Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish. 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.". All Rights Reserved. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. 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. October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM 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. Rather, the story was often presented as a hybrid tale of the exoticized Orient meeting modern English-language styles and fashions,. This supports the idea that Genie only changes Aladdin's appearance, which he also indirectly confirms a few lines later: For more information, please see our Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Heres a version of that warning, which is notably more in-depth than the one-sentence warning that Disney has implemented. 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. This is pretty much the progressive movement in a nutshell. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? Today, Disneys new content, as well as all its properties, now pushes a radical, left-wing agenda harmful to children and the nuclear family. Aladdin is not an entertaining Arabian Nights fantasy as film critics would have us believe, wrote Jack Shaheen in 1992, then a professor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University, but rather a painful reminder to 3 million Americans of Arab heritage, as well as 300 million Arabs and others, that the abhorrent Arab stereotype is as ubiquitous as Aladdins lamp.. The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. 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for Aladdin, or see the movie in theaters now, and make your own conclusions. 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. 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.. Disney also came under fire for allegedly darkening the skin of white actors and crew members. 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. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home". To learn more about how stories have impacted society, please visit. 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. All I can say is, like lightning, beware of the cancel culture mob-you are sharp with a mind of your own and as you become better known I am afraid you will become a target. 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. 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. ", 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.". 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. Ditch Disney plus there. Aladdin, which came out in 1992, is a popular movie with fun songs and an interesting plot. 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. "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.". The crows in Dumbo. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr. Now only days after his death, the live-action Aladdin remake has been questioned over its casting woes. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Overall, group representatives say they appreciate efforts made by Disney to recognize outdated cultural depictions while advocating for films likeAladdinor 1995sPocahontasto also receive the disclaimer. 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. Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of the 1992 film, that the movie was originally intended to be set in Baghdad, Iraq. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? As of October 15th, Disney Plus has updated its disclaimer to include a warning that older films may contain harmful stereotypes. 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. Previously, Disney had the line "This program is presented as originally created. Why does Aladdin have a warning now? Gary Sheffield Jr is the son of should-be MLB Hall of Famer, Gary Sheffield. film within a month of its release at the box office. 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. 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. Ghanizada notes a2015 Public Policy Pollin which one-third of Republican primary voters supported bombing the fictional kingdom of Agrabah, the setting ofAladdin. Yet, they and their media family, (like ESPN) are always the first in line seeking to cancel anything that remotely upsets them. Hang tough Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. Cookie Notice Privacy Policy. How do you feel about Aladdin? No. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . 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. The original movie contains a scene of Goofy smoking a cigarette that was previously edited on Disney+. 17 moments in Disney movies that haven't aged well. Abby Monteil. There are now more opportunities for people in the United States, and elsewhere, to access regionally-produced entertainment from the Middle East. 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. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. I am cynical by nature. That Disney talent agents are pedophiles/child molesters? 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. For more, Xbox Game Pass Is Having its Best Stretch Ever, Attack on Titan Fans Are Desperately Searching for The Final Season Part 3's First Episode Online, The Flash: The Arrowverse's Red Death Isn't Who We Thought, $30 Million Worth of Funko Products are Being Sent to a Landfill, Atomic Heart Faces Backlash on Multiple Fronts, all the movies and shows on or coming soon to Disney Plus, The Simpsons Hit and Run Designer Wants to See a Remake - IGN Daily Fix. TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." Whether the new film-makers choose to stand in the old guard or vanguard remains to be seen. First noticed by Twitter user @324_B21, and reported by Mashable, films like the original 1941 Dumbo, The Aristocats, Jungle Book, the 1955 animated Lady and the Tramp all feature the same outdated culturual depictions warning. Aladdin film poster comparison. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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 . Most people consider Aladdin to be set somewhere in the Middle East. The new . KEEP READING:Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy. 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. 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. 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. First published on October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM. A content advisory notice for racism in classic Disney films, in place since last year, has been updated with a strengthened message. However, the outbreak of the first Gulf War (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. 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." Credit: , 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. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. 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. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. 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. Proponents of the film also encourage focusing on the great strides the 2019 film made in being more diverse and inclusive. So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, Disney+ Updates Offensive Content Disclaimer for Aladdin, Peter Pan and More, Amazon Prime Video Is Catching up to Netflix While HBO Max Outpaces Disney+ Growth, Disney: COVID Forces Restructure, Puts Greater Focus on Streaming Content, Disney+ Rebrands Non-MCU Marvel Films as Marvel Legacy, REVIEW: Frank Miller Presents Ancient Enemies: The Djinni #1 Crafts a Compelling Origin Story, REVIEW: DC's Shazam! A lot of it is, honestly, hard to tell or point out when you're not part of the group involved. The disclaimers are not a signal that the films have been canceled, Ben Mankiewicz, a host on classic TV network TCM, told the Reporter. Original cartoon versions of movies such as Dumbo, The Jungle Book . 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 . Some other Disney films, like Fantasia, Aladdin, and Peter Pan, have been criticized as well, but notably, Disneys Song of the South remains absent from the service. Since Disney is so horrified of its own movie, perhaps they should return the hundreds of millions of dollars they made off it. members. 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. Edit: forgot to write "answer", so i copypasted my original vomment. 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. 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. 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, alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Disney+ updated its offensive content disclaimer for films such as Aladdin, Peter Pan and Dumbo. 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. 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. "Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.". Did watching it ever make you uncomfortable? Similarly, The Jungle Book has been criticized for employing some African/African-American racial stereotypes to depict a group of monkeys, even going so far as to have another character call them mangy and flea-picking, among other problematic elements. 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. "Our job is. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? While the voice cast of the 1992 movie was entirely white, the live-action film boasts a diverse cast. 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.. 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. The company said that while. The new-and-improved, feminist Jasmine even performs an original song. Jasmine was also given a more complex plot line in the new adaptation. Jennifer Bisset is a Senior Editor for CNET. 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. And overdue., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Boycott threatened over transgender inclusion in Hersheys Womans Day promo, Twitch star zaps herself with shock collar live for 1 million fans, gets banned, JK Rowling showing outstanding moral courage as she stands up to vile woke mob, Artist behind Obamas Hope poster, Shepard Fairey, slams cancel culture. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. In Disney's telling of the story, Aladdin is clever, resourceful, and loyal, but underestimated because he is poor. Aladdin never had a content warning until now, but the edited version has always been on Disney+. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Of any of the big, more modern movies Pocahontas should be the first one with a disclaimer. But I've realized how problematic Aladdin's character is. A subreddit to help you keep up to date with what's going on with reddit and other stuff. pic.twitter.com/X9aGjXv97o. Back in 1992, Shaheen cited cable television and videocassettes as making it easy for stereotypes to travel far and wide. 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. Aladdin (/ l d n / -LAD-in; Arabic: , Al ud-Dn/ Al ad-Dn, IPA: [ala addin], ATU 561, 'Aladdin') is a Middle-Eastern folk tale.It is one of the best-known tales associated with The Book of One Thousand and One Nights (The Arabian Nights), despite not being part of the original text; it was added by the Frenchman Antoine Galland, based . An adamant defender of The Last Jedi and the series finale of Lost, he can be reached at sam.g@cbr.com or through his Twitter, @SamMgelman. 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. But now Disney is offended by its own creation, so it slaps a warning on Aladdin. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. 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. 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. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. While the majority of films and series that are added to Disney+ continue to be available, some titles, unfortunately, have been removed from Disney+. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. But just which films and shows meet the criteria for the disclaimer is not clear. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 16, 2021 Become a home entertainment expert with our handpicked tips, reviews and deals. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? 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. It would be helpful if they were more specific as to whats the problem because I think people can learn from this, he says. 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. Yeah, probably not because that message doesnt help them pander. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. We coulda sworn we went to Disneyland and waited in line for two hours to be entertainednot for an education.. Agrabah is a made up place thats a combo of a few different 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. Critics say the movie producers have used this melting pot description as an excuse to be lazier in casting. 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. The new message plays before all of the listed films for about 10 seconds and cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. The full cigarette scene is now there at the 24:00 mark for anybody who is curious. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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. Disney also removed the "This program is presented as originally created" description from Saludos Amigos, which is funny because now the movie is actually presented as originally created. That is even more important in an era of mass media, all-you-can-watch online streaming. 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. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? They want to make up for any offensive messaging they may have been a part of, Robertson told the publication. Jasmine's mother is barely a thought in the 1992 animated movie. Samuel Gelman started at CBR as a news writer in August 2019 before becoming a news editor in November 2019. The line you're thinking of is "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. The new content warning, appearing on screen before the movie starts. 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. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong 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. What can you do to be more aware of cultural insensitivity and misrepresentation in pop culture? 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 be set somewhere in the Middle East. The names Jasmine and Aladdin are both of Middle-Eastern origin, with Aladdin being derived from Arabic while Jasmine has its roots in Persian. He's a young Middle Eastern man and a homeless orphan that . Why is there so little Middle Eastern, Arab or Muslim (or other minority group) representation in film and television? A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. 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 its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. ', 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.. 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! Why does Aladdin have a warning before it? See some of the major differences between the films in this chart designed by our summer interns. Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish. 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.". All Rights Reserved. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. 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. October 19, 2020 / 11:46 AM 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. Rather, the story was often presented as a hybrid tale of the exoticized Orient meeting modern English-language styles and fashions,. This supports the idea that Genie only changes Aladdin's appearance, which he also indirectly confirms a few lines later: For more information, please see our Pray tell who is offended by Aladdin? So much so that Disney+ added a warning label before the film starts. Heres a version of that warning, which is notably more in-depth than the one-sentence warning that Disney has implemented. 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. This is pretty much the progressive movement in a nutshell. Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? Today, Disneys new content, as well as all its properties, now pushes a radical, left-wing agenda harmful to children and the nuclear family. Aladdin is not an entertaining Arabian Nights fantasy as film critics would have us believe, wrote Jack Shaheen in 1992, then a professor of mass communications at Southern Illinois University, but rather a painful reminder to 3 million Americans of Arab heritage, as well as 300 million Arabs and others, that the abhorrent Arab stereotype is as ubiquitous as Aladdins lamp.. The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. 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