Not for Moana, at least. Her heritage and race are arguably essential to the story (same for something like Mulan), whereas Ariel's isn't... beyond being a Mermaid.
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Some Chinese filmgoers unhappy with Disney's Ariel casting
- Thread starter Yukari
- Start date
Not for Moana, at least. Her heritage and race are arguably essential to the story (same for something like Mulan), whereas Ariel's isn't... beyond being a Mermaid.
If the above water stuff is still intended to be 1800s Denmark I could see this happening
I honestly think Europe is more racist. I work at a steel factory and it almost got to a point where i was openly ridiculed by some (older men) for opposing their racist views.
At least the US tries to be PC, and racists are more subtle in trying to hide it.
Its crazy out here.
You say that as if Tiana's heritage and race isn't essential to the story.
Where in Europe?
Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and Western Europe are racists in different ways.
It is essential to the Disney telling, absolutely, but it was adapted from the original Brother's Grimm story to fit creole (?) culture, so I think that's a little more complex.
I know you intend this as some kind of commentary on Chinese social politics, but China actually has very popular Uyghur actresses, for example Dilraba Dilmurat, who is probably one of China's top celebrities right now. As far as I know she doesn't speak English, but I'm pretty sure Chinese audiences would actually be thrilled if she was cast in something.
Why are you arguing about the origin of the book when we're arguing Disney adaptations? Also it's all African American culture, Creoles assimilated into it when White people told them they were niggers too. There's a reason Disney set it in New Orleans, the birth of Jazz, with an African American family set to Jazz influenced Pop music.
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Belgium.
Elections are just over and the far right has gained the most, a trend that most of Europe has followed.
They're still all going to see it if it's popular. From what I've been told pretty much all teens/young adults go see whatever the latest blockbuster is, doesn't matter what it's about.
But the crab is already Jamaican? Anyway I want to see it take place in the Caribbean. Netherlands used to have a colony there so it would make sense.
Just so we don't lose the original point, I was saying that the poster's friend's argument doesn't hold up "in a vacuum" which you said it did.
Further, the point of bringing up the origin was to talk more broadly about the essential elements that make up the story. When you strip each down, some are much more dependent on the culture and setting they come from than others. That isn't to say the stories can't be transposed at all, just that something like Moana (or even Mulan) won't slot in nearly as neatly as, say, The Frog Prince, which does and indeed has.
This was, in turn, to back up my earlier assertion that one can change Ariel to whoever you want - Black, Asian, Arabic, even to a man - because the story doesn't rely on her identity (race/creed/colour/gender) outside of specifically being a mermaid.
I hope that clears everything up.
On your later point, I stand corrected. To be honest, I was expecting to be, hence the question mark. My knowledge of American history is fairly limited.
"I don't mind X or Y minority as long as they're good in the role and nOT fOrCEd"
*minority is cast*
"WOW HOLD UP A SEC"
Honestly reminds me of the uproar when it looked like Ciri might be cast as a POC. Racists screaming "I"M NOT RACIST THEY SHOULD HIRE SOMEONE OF THE SAME CULTURE!!@!!!@@!@"
They end up casting a white woman (not from the same country/heritage of the author of the book/setting) and all those people are mysteriously quiet.
They end up casting a white woman (not from the same country/heritage of the author of the book/setting) and all those people are mysteriously quiet.
...Because her voice and singing ability are essential to the plot?
Also I'm on a phone so quoting is hard but why are people still whining about "casting a redhead". Ariel's hair is firetruck red not ginger, it is not a natural colour and it's super easy for her to just throw on a wig that colour.
Doesn't Disney see how unrealistic it is for a mythical creature that lives under the sea to be black when she is CLEARLY white? Thank you, China, for taking a stance against this egregious cultural erasure.
I don't actually have to say this is sarcasm right
My point is clearly about Disney films which are all American films regardless of the origin of the source material hence the American accented English, American pop songs, and expousing of American values. Although I can see why you're disagreeing with me even in a vacuum. What I'm baffled about is how you see a difference between Tiana and Moana and using the original Frog Prince as "proof" instead of Disney's African American Princess Tiana, which the post specifically said turning Ariel Black would be like turning Tiana or Moana White. It's like your failing to see how the setting of New Orleans, it's history and culture, African Americans and Jazz are as instrumental to The Princess and the Frog as Pacific Islander and Polynesian history and culture is to Moana.
I wonder what she feels about her people being detained in internment camps and China's efforts to erase their way of life. The world will never forget and never forgive.
About Ariel, I think the casting is awesome and racists can get fucked. Let's hope the movie will be good.
Imagine we live in a world where people care what color fish people are. Or rather only care when the role is played by a PoC. Theres no reason why anyone couldn't play the role. Fuck out of here with that racist shit.
Had a quick look at the Instagram comments, It's basically all 'I'm not racist but... 'I'm all for equality but..'
BUt If aNyoNE cOULd PLaY Her WHy CouLdN'T iT be a WHIte perSOn?
I admit I did a double take when I heard the news and I'm in a more "wait and see" approach for this movie, but I can say the same about all the live action remakes. I hope they keep the red hair at least.
I had no idea "the Little Mermaid" was so important to China.
I had no idea "the Little Mermaid" was so important to China.
damn bruh who the fuck cares
how is being white important to ariel's character at all???
just get over it ffs
how is being white important to ariel's character at all???
just get over it ffs
Is this meant to say that you are also unhappy with the Ariel casting?
No one can speak on everyone's opinion in a country but I am from Australia and would like to see Ariel continue to have white skin and red hair as she does in the original Disney animation (and continued by those who end up representing her at places like Disneyland, etc).
They didn't make Will Smith as the genie and change his colour to purple or yellow, or whatever. They kept him blue as shown in the animation.
Wow. You think only white Disney princesses exist? What about those like Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog), Pocahontas, Jasmine (from Aladdin) and Moana?
That's three princesses, compared to like dozens of white princesses. And except for Moana all of them are not exactly characters this generation of kids would know.
You can't compare the two. Ariel is a beloved and well known character, while Aquaman has never been relevant and much of the time treated as a joke, so not too many people cared about the change.
Only that the original is Danisch, not dutch.
But it doesn't matter anyway. It's storytelling and storytelling is free and should be. Where would we be culturally if our stories didn't evolve?
Pages and pages of comments without a single one discussing the real issue at play here. Why is Disney casting a human being over a toon yet again?
We are denying hard working toons the work they need and deserve? I like humans...some of them are my best friends, but they have no business taking the work of hard working toons.
The constant casting of humans in toon roles is disgraceful trend that has to stop. I'm having lunch with the toon who played Mulan this week...she's pissed.
We are denying hard working toons the work they need and deserve? I like humans...some of them are my best friends, but they have no business taking the work of hard working toons.
The constant casting of humans in toon roles is disgraceful trend that has to stop. I'm having lunch with the toon who played Mulan this week...she's pissed.
What do the Brothers Grimm have to do with the original Little Mermaid story?
It was written by Hans Christian Andersen.
I suspect you don't know what you are talking about.