We've received your submission. The sultan's palace in Aladdin, left, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. 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. The decision to attach this message to some animated films was met with both praise from people who viewed it as an accountability measure and criticism from those who thought its wording was. There are a number of reasons why these titles are removed. Is it okay to watch a movie if it includes offensive parts? 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. Disney also puts silly, PC warning labels before much of its back catalog of films. However, experts continued to criticize the soft language used in the old Disney Plus disclaimers. 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. Previously, Disney had the line "This program is presented as originally created. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 5. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. I understand Peter Pan and Dumbo but why Aladdin? It would be helpful if they were more specific as to whats the problem because I think people can learn from this, he says. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Several representatives of minority advocacy groups spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their reactions to the Disney+ disclaimer for films such as 1967's 'The Jungle Book' and 1953's 'Peter Pan. 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. 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. After Mr. "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. If anything it highlighted overcoming a class struggle but I guess Marxism has mutated to race and gender now. 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. How do you feel about Aladdin? While the 1992 movie had all the fairy-tale elements to attract viewers adventure and intrigue, an evil villain, a plucky underdog, a forlorn princess trapped by tradition, and an array of supporting characters, Aladdin didnt fare well with critics. TheStories Matter website that is referenced in the disclaimer features more information about Disney's efforts to increase "cultural competency." No plug forthcoming. 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. Jinns Lebanese director Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya has said, this is a great opportunity to portray Arab youth in a very unique way. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Supporters of the movie point to the fact that Agrabah, despite being supposedly based on an actual city. While the 1992 movie had all the fairy-tale elements to attract viewers adventure and intrigue, an evil villain, a plucky underdog, a forlorn princess trapped by tradition, and an array of supporting characters. Aladdin does trick the Genie into freeing him from the Cave of Wonders without using a wish. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. I am cynical by nature. Don Owens. Background characters. In addition to those older films, it's also included at the start of "Aladdin," the animated blockbuster from 1992. Disney Princesses Who Suffer From Some Kind Of Mental Disorder - TheRichest She won Best New Journalist in 2019 at the Australian IT Journalism Awards. Furthermore, these advisors helped ensure that any Arabic-language text was correctly displayed and that the setting and dress were more culturally realistic. This is pretty much the progressive movement in a nutshell. Jasmine was also given a more complex plot line in the new adaptation. members. ThePeter Panentry reads: The film portrays Native people in a stereotypical manner that reflects neither the diversity of Native peoples nor their authentic cultural traditions. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe. Sky has issued a disclaimer alongside a number of its films that have 'outdated values' including the 1986 hit Aliens (pictured: Sigourney Weaver) The broadcasting giants say it is reviewing. Aladdin 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. 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. on exploring stereotypes with American film and television, which offers guided activities for your students. Disney. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. Although Disney posted this message in front of the original Aladdin, the version on Disney+ has still removed the "cut off your ear" line from the opening song and Aladdin's mumbling on the. It was even broader than that because we talked about the history of stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian Americans. Please review Rule 4 and this post before making a top level comment: I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. 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. Please disregard such warningsand better yet, dont give Disney another dime of your money. Something like this is surely the reason they put it afront of the video, just to be safe. In "Sleeping Beauty," Prince Phillip kisses Aurora while she's unconscious. 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. Jasmine can be seen wearing one of her mother's bracelets in the live-action movie. 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. A Summary and Analysis of 'Aladdin and the Magic Lamp' Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? Wouldnt it be reasonable that if all the characters in this movie come from the same genetic stock, they should resemble one another? The Aladdin controversy Disney can't escape - BBC Culture Press J to jump to the feed. 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. EspeciallywithAladdin, with those orientalized tropes that were kind of pushing back against.. All Rights Reserved. Proponents of the film also encourage focusing on the great strides the 2019 film made in being more diverse and inclusive. Lets be clear, Disney did harm. Alan Menken, famed Disney composer, discusses enduring appeal of "Aladdin." The musical visits San Jose this month, with live-action film due in May. Weve had some very raw conversations on those Zooms, African American Film Critics Association President Gil Robertson told the Hollywood Reporter. The crows in Dumbo. Growing up, I loved watching Aladdin, just like any other child that enjoyed Disney movies. Warner Bros. featured a similar warning regarding some of its older cartoons, such as Tom & Jerry, which appeared on Amazon, according to CinemaBlend. alternate lyrics were dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Everything That's Been Removed From Disney+ In The United States Looking further back, 1940sFantasiahas been criticized for the depiction of a black centaurette called Sunflower polishing the hooves of a white centaurette, as well as another named Otika who briefly appears in the Pastoral Symphonysegment. in the new adaptation. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. The disclaimer reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. I think you might be right. 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.. Aladdin never had a content warning until now, but the edited version has always been on Disney+. "Nobody's canceling these movies," he said. 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. Credit: Outnow/Alamy. The 2019 film also removed several instance of the most egregious racism from the animated film. The original story from November 2019 detailing the original Disney+ content warning is below. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. to be set somewhere in the Middle East. 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. The controversy over Disney's new Aladdin remake, explained - Vox 4. Who should tell stories of other places? 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. I would hope that Disney would do it for all the films that might include some things that are a little outdated, says Azita Ghanizada, founder of MENA (Middle Eastern North African) Arts Advocacy Coalition. 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. No one thats who. Fantasy worlds are not meant to perfectly align with real-life racial boundaries. , including Afghan payraans, Indian saris, Omani daggers, and turbans from multiple cultures. 2. . 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. Additionally, 1992s animatedAladdin, criticized for its racist depictions of West Asian culture, does not feature the warning in its synopsis. are plenty other streamers out there. However, the outbreak of the first. 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. 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. 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,. 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. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Aladdin now has a warning on Disney + pic.twitter.com/ZzrX6qHqct, This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. Yes. Those disclaimers are now gone in favor of the new message. 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. When played on the Disney+ streaming service, films such as . I think of Aladdin as the Robin Williams show. Disney warns viewers about racist stereotypes in classic films on The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw light-skinned, Anglicised features in the heroes Aladdin and Jasmine that contrasted sharply with the swarthy, greedy street merchants who had Arabic accents and grotesque facial features. "Our job is. 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? 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Some accused Disney of reinforcing notions of Oriental interchangeability, pointing to the fact that name Jasmine has Persian roots, not Indian. 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. 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. After Mr. 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. 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. has been questioned over its casting woes, theyre struggling to wrap up their months-long search, The American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee saw. In its history, Disney has produced 56 animated movies. Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not Pocahontas? These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. 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. Aspects of the story also have Indian influences, including Jasmines Indian tiger Rajah, and the sultans palace in the animated film looking remarkably similar to the Taj Mahal. Aladdin: 15 Best Genie Quotes - ScreenRant Yes, Skorodin says. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.. 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.". Could he overcome the perception that the story was inherently bigoted? 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. 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. He says that while working with young filmmakers, he has never insisted they dont watch it or they dont appreciate it or that its wrong. Jungle Bookreceived a disclaimer, yet its 2003 animated sequel did not. The one thing you probably didn't notice about Disney dudes' chests But just which films and shows meet the criteria for the disclaimer is not clear. Besides from what I vaguely remember about Aladdin was he was a poor theif (or street rat for the non PC types) who befriended an enslaved genie and found a magic carpet ride in order to overcome evil Jafar, win the affection of a bra wearing princess, and became the king of Arabia or something. Was it possible to accurately depict cultural nuances using a fairy tale? Why, on Disney plus, does aladdin have a disclaimer but not - reddit 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. 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. We take a look at the origins of the folktale, the previous dramatic portrayals of the story, the 1992 animated film, and how the filmmakers tried to overcome past controversy in the latest rendition of, At the end of the overview, you can also find. Less well known is the fact that the film sparked a racial controversy, one that is still reverberating today. "Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all." Following the Maypolice killing of George Floyd, a Black man, media companies like Sky and HBO Max have pulled content or attached warnings to prejudiced or racist material in their back catalogs, such as Gone With the Wind. Why is it important to have culturally-accurate depictions in film and television? Bollywood is an entire industry made up of talents like this and the Middle East has equally as much talent. Twenty-seven years ago, Disneys animated version of. The casting of Naomi Scott, who is of English and Indian descent, upset some fans and critics who believed the role should have been played by a Middle Eastern actress. The film and its creators refused to do the work of normalizing and humanizing people of color for American audiences. This applies to classics such as Dumbo and Aladdin, which may not be suitable for younger audiences. It reads: This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. , which tells the story of an affable street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the sultans daughter, Jasmine. Disney+ has a huge library of hundreds of movies and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. 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 . Nobodys canceling these movies, he said. Versions of Aladdin from the 19th and well into the 20th centuries depict the main character as culturally Asian, not Arab. 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. 13 Comments. 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. The new . 17 moments in Disney movies that haven't aged well. While he has always loved superhero, sci-fi and fantasy films and TV series, it is only recently that he began reading comic books themselves. Panoramic view of Agrabah from the 2019 shows real-seeming landscape featuring buildings with Islamic architecture. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Pocahontas was staight full of lies and racial slurs. 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. Disney also came under fire for allegedly darkening the skin of white actors and crew members. did apparently meet with Galland at some point, but it remains unclear how much, if any, of the story came from him. 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. 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. It feels sincere, and its also good business., In November 2019, when Disney launched its Disney+ streaming service, the company added content warnings ahead of its animated classics Dumbo (1941), The Jungle Book (1967) and Aladdin (1992) to warn audiences that the movies may contain outdated cultural depictions..