Snow White to Shang chi

"By the year 2050 - as cultural sensitivities continue to shift - all old Disney movies will be 26 seconds long"

This article states that audiences are moving away from controversial films, lots of old Disney movies have controversy in it, remakes are now trying to cut out those bits. e.g the role of women in snow white, snow white cleans and cooks for the dwarfs

The release of snow white changed the world of cinema - what came next?

The debts were paid off (until Walt throws even more money into his next films, millions of profit in the bank, Walt builds a Studio - which despite some serious ups and downs) kept growing.

The actress who did the voice for snow white wasn't allowed to do anything else for 30 years.

When Disney made snow white, it was all about the possibility and excitement of how it could be made, but not much talk about the gender politics behind it. It was not a good example for young girls and boys. 

Times have changed. The film industry has changed. Disney has had to change.

Disney princesses have evolved 

Cinderlla (1950) - saved by prince/helpless 

Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) (1959) - romantic lead/victim

Merida (2012) - brave/strong/first Disney princess not to have a love interest

Anna (Frozen) (2013) - sister/action hero/comedy

Moana (2016) - heroine/brave/strong/independent/admired

She sails out on a mission to save her people, she meets Maui, who guides her, along the way they fight monsters and Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers her own identity. 

 A good role model for young girls, unlike Snow White. It shows young girls that they can be strong and independent and don't have to rely on a man. The love interest inst the main plot. 

The lack of diversity in Hollywood

  • The film industry has been accused of being too white, too male, too straight, too american, too narrow
  • It is certainly the case that for many years the film industry just did what it wanted - because it could
  • Representation and diversity have become huge issues for the film industry and Disney in particular in recent years 
  • To enjoy the film industry, people need to know they are being represented in front of and behind the camera, that it is welcoming and inclusive for everyone
Disney's response to accusations of the film industry being too narrow was to change the way they make films
  • Shang-chi is an important part of that
  • Shang-chi is part of the answer to Disney being too white, too american, too arrogant
Reasons Disney are remaking their films
  • A safe way of making profit on a film with a 'built in' audience
  • A chance to show how diverse the company is 
  • Correcting 'wrongs' or errors from the past

  • Everyone has a different idea of how the story should be told 
  • Rachel Zegler said that Snow White is not going to be saved by the prince or dream of true love, she is going to dream of being a leader
  • Outrage on twitter saying 'end wokeness'
  • Wrong representation of dwarfs 


It isn't only cultural values that are changing - its the way audiences interact with films

The pandemic has accelerated audience behavior and studio release patterns

Disney +

Disney + cant keep gaining new subscribers forever, and in fact it has reported some quarterly falls.

People subscribe for a certain amount of time, then cancel it. 

People may forget to cancel therefore they pay for another month

Disney + premier access - where subscribers can pay more to see a very new film which is often just out, this can create problems for cinemas and actors.

 Scarlett Johansson and Disney settle 'Black Widow' lawsuit

Different ways of paying for Disney +





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