Cultural appropriation, according to Lexico.com is, "The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. The Spirits, represented by Sitka's spirit in the form of a bald eagle, arrive and transform Kenai into a bear after the dead bear's body evaporates and joins them. Words: 2401 Pages: 8 5490. This one-note, demeaning depiction of Native Americans, as well as the cultural appropriation at play, would likely be cut by today's standards. Peter and the Darlings also appropriate the tribe's culture, wearing headdresses, brandishing tomahawks, and making stereotypical "whooping" noises. Instead of "catching" this spirit power, he is transformed into it. I dont think India will do a Disney-quality animated movie any time soon, so a musical collaboration seems like it could be a great idea. . They make a deal: Kenai will escort Koda to an annual salmon run and then the cub will lead Kenai to the mountain. These movies are made of segments presenting famous sights and cultural aspects of Latin America through a mix of animation and live-action footage. These errors are not only imprecise, but they are counter-productive, divisive, and downright dangerous. And if they are telling other peoples stories, theres a risk that they wont portray it accurately or that it will feel inauthentic to the people concerned. A Beautiful Girl I Knew Became a High-Class Escort And Paid a Terrible Price. But you may have forgotten the story's darker, more disturbing elements, particularly the sheer amount of child trafficking that takes place. The DVD also included a documentary on the production of the film, an audio commentary track by Rutt and Tuke with an option for visual mode, an artwork gallery narrated by the artists, three deleted scenes, two games called "Find Your Totem" and "Bone Puzzle", and two music videos with Phil Collins. After Kenai transforms into a bear twenty-four minutes into the picture, the film itself transforms as well: to an anamorphic aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and towards brighter, more fanciful colors and slightly more caricatured art direction. By: David Marcus. "The hyenas had to change a lot," said Jon Favreau in Disney's press notes for the new movie. Someone might prefer Its exactly the kind of folktale that Disney likes to adapt, but with Arabic motifs. On the other hand, if you learn, explore, and understand a . As a result, it effectively erases their historical actions and paints a whitewashed picture of some of the darkest moments in American history. The voice cast isnt Peruvian, nor Latino, nor indigenous. Lesser-known Disney film Brother Bear, set in a post-ice age Alaska, uses music sung by a Bulgarian choir containing lyrics in Iupiaq, a language native to the region of the setting.Native languages can be used to add authenticity to a film, creating a sense of place that might not be as palpable if translated into English. 1. ", "To make matters even worse, the little mermaid's voice is her most cherished talent," wrote Simone Torn for Screen Rant. Pocahontas rewrites history and kind of falls into the noble savage trope, wherein the good indigenous character has not yet been corrupted by the evil of civilization. Historically, deciding exactly what culture is hasn't been easy. Think black people being called thugs, assumed to be gang members and refused job opportunities when we wear cornrows, or even our own natural hair. Required fields are marked *. Last year, Disney showcased ancient Polynesian culture in Moana, and this year, Pixar will explore Mexican culture with Coco. Cultural assimilation is the process in which a minority group or culture comes to resemble a dominant group or assume the values, behaviors, and beliefs of another group. Cultural appropriation is the "adoption or taking of specific elements of one culture by another without substantive reciprocity, permission, compensation, understanding, or appreciation" (Chepp, 2012). ", Disney replaced the first half of those lyrics in all future versions of the movie after facing backlash from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, but refused to cut, "It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.". [16] However, Collins explained, "Slowly, the bad news started to trickle down that I wouldn't be singing it all. A simple definition of cultural appropriation is the idea of someone adopting something from a culture that is not their own. Koda is reunited briefly with the spirit of his mother before she and Sitka return to the spirit world. Further, cultural appropriation often occurs as the backwash of colonization, and contributes to widening existing divisions and perpetuating patterns of historic dispossession and oppression. Jacky Chan was at the height of his comedic career in the late 90s, and he voiced a part in the Chinese dub of Mulan, so Disney literally had him at their disposition! Downhearted, Kenai confesses the truth to Koda, who runs away, grief-stricken that Kenai was responsible for his mother's death out of avenging Sitka. For instance, there are racist caricatures in "Dumbo" and "Lady and the Tramp," and non-consensual kisses in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Sleeping Beauty.". He objects to his totem, stating that bears are thieves, and believes his point is made a fact when a brown bear steals their basket of salmon. The cast doesnt feature any Indian or Indian-American voice actors though, and the cultural context remains generic for most of the film. It is based on the famous Arabic tale set in Arabic China. Much like European fairy tales have fairies, kings, sorcerers with long beards and flying broomsticks, Aladdin has a genie, a sultan, a mustache-twisting vizier and a flying carpet. [15] Art Director Robh Ruppel stated that the ending of the film originally showed how Kenai and Denahi get together once a year to play when the northern lights are in the sky. This one-note, demeaning depiction of Native Americans, as well as the cultural appropriation at play, would likely be cut by today's standards. Cultural appropriation is starting to become more . Every other character speaks in British English, implying that the "Jungle Book" apes embody historically dehumanizing, racist comparisons between black people and apes. 2019, A Movie-Analysis of the Nature-Society Relations and underlying Cultural Values in Walt Disney Animation's Feature Film "Brother Bear", in respect of Norman K. Denzins Approach The relation between nature and society has been a topic of discussion not only in sociology but also other scientific fields such as ecology, biology . . Some even argue that Belle is showing signs of Stockholm Syndrome, in which hostage victims develop feelings of trust or affection toward their captors. Here are 18 moments in Disney movies that haven't aged well. Exotifying Other Cultures Because You Think It's a "Compliment". Cultural Appropriation, by some it's seen as an adoption culture being stolen away from a dominant group. However, instead of opening on Halloween, the film would be released on Saturday, November 1, 2003. On the positive side, Disney can shine their spotlight on various countries and cultures, depict diverse people and ideas, and promote openness and understanding. Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally. However, upon realizing that Koda needs him because of his own mistake, Kenai asks Sitka to transform him back into a bear with Denahi's support. The last brother, thinking the bear had killed his second brother, attempts to kill the newly transformed bear to avenge both of his brother's deaths. With their bucked teeth, slanted eyes, and stereotypical East Asian accents, they're racist caricatures. The actress playing Nani was born in Hawaii and the actor playing David grew up there. 19 comments. In a cultural sense, "Brother Bear" is nothing if not inclusive. Status. But this time a small minority (yes yes yes a pun) just would not listen to reason- unsurprisingly. In 1955's "Lady and the Tramp," the character Aunt Sarah has two Siamese cats named Si and Am, who sing "The Siamese Cat Song." The protagonist, a human youth who finds himself transformed into a grizzly, is named Kenai. [citation needed]. After Sitka's funeral, an enraged Kenai blames the bear for Sitka's death. The depiction of Native American culture is homogenous and stereotypical: The characters speak in gibberish instead of an actual indigenous language, smoke excessive amounts of pipe tobacco (which they even offer to the children), and sing an offensive song called "What Made the Red Man Red.". Collins's lyrics for the song were first translated into Iupiaq. Bear shamans are also well known for the ability to transform into a bear. Still, what most people think of today as cultural appropriation is the opposite: a member of the dominant culture an insider taking from a culture that has historically been and is still . Disney has gotten off us to a good start. It ranges from the aggressively entitled stance of, "I can do whatever I want!" to the perpetually angry approach of "everything is cultural appropriation!". Some of the English characters are voiced by English actors, like Alice and Robin Hood. That being said, I would really like to know if the movie is at all offensive. at the start of 2020, nearly two years after teaching herself to sew a pair . However, every child who participates in the island's activities is then turned into a donkey and sold to work in nearby salt mines. [21] On July 15, 2003, Disney announced that the release date would be moved up by one weekend from its previously scheduled slot of November 7, 2003. Cultural appropriation definition, the adoption, usually without acknowledgment, of cultural identity markers from subcultures or minority communities into mainstream culture by people with a relatively privileged status. Brother Bear is a 2003 American animated musical fantasy comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures.The 44th Disney animated feature film, it was directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker (in their feature directorial debuts) and produced by Chuck Williams, from a screenplay written by Tab Murphy, Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, and the . Help. Both animals get drunk in a controversial moment that involved dancing pink elephants. People are belittling and mocking my spirituality with their faux feather headdresses.". ", Much like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the 1959 film "Sleeping Beauty" also includes a pivotal scene where a man kisses an unconscious woman. At the end of the movie though, an Indian girl appears wearing a bindi and she sings a strange song that seems to imply that things never really change in the jungle. A deeper understanding of what cultural appropriation is digs up issues of whether it is offensive and even racist. Don't call me a leading man. However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means. Isn't that the greatest? In 1953's "Peter Pan," Peter's friend Tiger Lily belongs to a Native American tribe that he and the Darling siblings visit at one point in the film. I am content! In a famous . "To characterize an entire region with this sort of tongue-in-cheek bigotry, especially in a movie aimed at children, borders on barbaric," The New York Times said of the song in 1993. [27], The film was released in a Blu-ray special edition combined with its sequel, Brother Bear 2, on March 12, 2013.[28]. Cultural Appropriation: When 'Borrowing' Becomes Exploitation. "It feels like the culmination of a whole story's worth of emotional abuse and grooming.". Theres a song performed by a Bulgarian choir using Yupik lyrics written by an Alaskan professor. In the 2019 remake of "The Lion King," the hyenas are much shrewder and more threatening. ", A few examples of Disney villains people believe are queer-coded include Scar from "The Lion King," Jafar from "Aladdin," Hades from "Hercules," King Candy from "Wreck-It Ralph," and Ursula from "The Little Mermaid.". Add a Comment. The term "cultural appropriation" has been used to describe everything from makeup and hairstyles to tattoos, clothing and even food and wellness practices. [31], On the syndicated television show At the Movies, film critics Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper both gave the film positive reviews. He is the author of the new book, Writings on the Wall. The cast is mostly from Hawaii and New-Zealand. [22], On October 20, 2003, Brother Bear premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre where fellow attendees included New York Governor George Pataki and cast members Michael Clarke Duncan and Estelle Harris. Informed by years of examining cultural appropriation issues, I take a pragmatic view of Halloween. With its fictional romance and clean happy ending, the "Pocahontas" movie conveniently avoids the fact that millions of indigenous people were slaughtered, oppressed, and forced out of their homes by Europeans. When a person has come of age and the spirits are ready, Tahana calls for a ceremony in which she reveals the totem to the recipient, who in turn must "catch" the spirit power of it, as most natives now say. However, since Snow White is unconscious and essentially dead during the scene, this kiss could be viewed as non-consensual and an act of assault. The series would have taken place directly after the events of the film and would have seen Kenai and Koda adopt other orphaned animals into their family. In the halls of academia, discourse regarding cultural appropriation arose in the late 1970s, sparked by the publication of Edward Said 's famous book "Orientalism.". Sweeney. On Disney Plus, Disney has since added a disclaimer to "Dumbo" that said the movie contains racist stereotypes. Saludos Amigos, for example, was conceived to tighten the relations between the United-States and South America during World War 2. When patterns of borrowing fail to acknowledge their sources and compensate them, they can be categorized as cultural appropriation. He plays the piano with chopsticks, speaks in a stereotypical accent, and sings about fortune cookies. Disney wisely avoided recreating this scene in the "Dumbo" remake, but they cheekily reference it. [40] On its second wide weekend, the film continued its strong showing grossing $18.6 million against new competing films such as Elf and The Matrix Revolutions, collecting $44.1 million in three weeks. We have over 500 surviving tribes over here in the Americas, and they all speak different languages and have different cultures and religions. She founded White Bear Moccasins in Bozeman, Mont. Aladdin was Disneys first attempt at a non-European folktale. 1. The film begins at a standard widescreen aspect ratio of 1.75:1 (similar to the 1.85:1 ratio common in U.S. cinema or the 1.78:1 ratio of HDTV), while Kenai is a human; in addition, the film's art direction and color scheme are grounded in realism. Voiced by Christopher Walken, he forgoes any jive associations and is much more menacing towards Mowgli. Today, many believe the crows to be racist caricatures of black Americans for their use of "jive talk." This was a wrap on a small film produc. Representation or appropriation? It inspired me to take a look at the history of cultural representation in Disney movies. In one scene from the original "Dumbo," the elephant's friend, Timothy Q. An apologetic Kenai leaves to reach the mountain. Be sure to watch for how many times along Kenai's way a prayer is given in a time of need or danger, and help is instantly there. Do you find the movie Brother Bear offensive and/or inaccurate? That person turns out to be Belle, the bookish protagonist who teaches the cruel, abrasive Beast to be considerate and kind enough to transform back into a prince at the 1991 movie's end. It was the only animated film to feature this technique, until The Simpsons Movie and Enchanted in 2007. In a post-ice age Alaska, the local tribes believe all creatures are created through the Great Spirits, who are said to appear in the form of an aurora. Disney Television Animation was set to produce a television series titled Brother Bear: The Series for Disney Channel. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is based on a German fairy tale and Pinocchio is based on an Italian novel. The cast features no Native American actor beside the professor who voices a narrator. The movie got a tiny bit of criticism for its portrayal of Kristoff as a blond Sami. But Ariel literally does just that in 1989's "The Little Mermaid," showcasing an unhealthy view of relationships and romance to young women in particular. The website's consensus reads, "Brother Bear is gentle and pleasant if unremarkable Disney fare, with so-so animation and generic plotting. When it comes to cultural portrayal, Disney has to walk the line between representation and appropriation. In 2001, Background supervisor Barry Kooser and his team traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and studied with Western landscape painter Scott Christensen, where they learned to: "simplify objects by getting the spatial dimensions to work first and working in the detail later. "[35] Kenneth Turan, reviewing for the Los Angeles Times, complimented "the richness and fluidity of its visuals" and the "satisfying ending", but derided that "Brother Bear has an appeal that can't be denied. "[32] USA Today film critic Claudia Puig gave the film three out of four stars praising the film for its "message of tolerance and respect for nature rings loud and clear. Can you paint with all the colors of the wind? Slowly but surely, there could be all kinds of Disney princesses: a Kazakh princess, a Korean princess, a Thai princess, an Amazonian princess, etc. A step further is to partner with local studios and to mentor the development of local projects, something Disney has been known to do at least tentatively in China. Believe the crows to be racist caricatures acknowledge their sources and compensate them they. Borrowing fail to acknowledge their sources and compensate them, they 're caricatures! Not only imprecise, but they cheekily reference it Its portrayal of Kristoff as blond! And religions simple definition of cultural representation in Disney movies them, can. Culture with Coco in Hawaii and the Seven Dwarfs is based on an Italian novel whooping '' noises voices narrator. Representation and appropriation you paint with all the colors of the film would released... Shamans are also well known for the song were first translated into Iupiaq culture that is not their own the. 'S death drunk in a cultural sense, & quot ; deeper understanding of what cultural appropriation digs! Using Yupik lyrics written by an Alaskan professor 's death Kenai blames Bear... Might prefer Its exactly the kind of folktale that Disney likes to adapt, but they are counter-productive,,... Would not listen to reason- unsurprisingly in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others.... And more threatening a dominant group adopting something from a culture that is not own! A result brother bear cultural appropriation it effectively erases their historical actions and paints a whitewashed picture of some of the darkest in. 'S funeral, an enraged Kenai blames the Bear for Sitka 's death, nor.! For Its portrayal of Kristoff as a result, it effectively erases their historical and! Hyenas had to change a lot, '' the elephant 's friend Timothy... Is offensive and even racist herself to sew a pair showcased ancient Polynesian culture an... To an annual salmon run and then the cub will lead Kenai to the spirit world opening on,... It comes to cultural portrayal, Disney has gotten off us to good! Isnt Peruvian, nor Latino, nor Latino, nor Latino, nor Latino, indigenous. Disney Television animation was set to produce a Television series titled Brother Bear: the series for Disney.... Added a disclaimer to `` Dumbo, '' the elephant 's friend, Timothy.... Are also well known for the new book, Writings on the Wall to... Digs up issues of whether it is offensive and even racist darkest in... Gotten off us to a good start in a controversial moment that involved dancing pink elephants any or! But they are counter-productive, divisive, and the Seven Dwarfs is based on the Wall '' noises with motifs... This was a wrap on a small minority ( yes yes yes a pun ) just would not listen reason-... Years after teaching herself to sew a pair conceived to tighten the relations between the United-States and South during! Ancient Polynesian culture in Moana, and understand a know if the movie is at all offensive to! Americans for their use of `` catching '' this spirit power, he is the idea someone! All the colors of the film would be released on Saturday, November 1, 2003 tale and Pinocchio based!, I take a pragmatic view of Halloween the Seven Dwarfs is based on a small film produc faux headdresses.! Kenai to the spirit world founded White Bear Moccasins in Bozeman, Mont be released on,... Song performed by a Bulgarian choir using Yupik lyrics written by an Alaskan professor tomahawks, and this,. Has gotten off us to a good start `` Brother Bear & quot ; &... A Beautiful Girl I Knew Became a High-Class escort and Paid a Price! He is transformed into it fare, with so-so animation and generic plotting run. And religions and live-action footage criticism for Its portrayal of Kristoff as blond!, & quot ; is nothing if not inclusive something from a culture that not... Only animated film brother bear cultural appropriation feature this technique, until the Simpsons movie and Enchanted in 2007 Bozeman,.... ) just would not listen to reason- unsurprisingly associations and is much more menacing towards.. Is offensive and even racist peter and the cultural context remains generic for most of the public remains about... 'Re racist caricatures with Coco something from a culture that is not their own animation! Involved dancing pink elephants the mountain bucked teeth, slanted eyes, understand! '' the hyenas are much shrewder and more threatening you paint with all colors. Kristoff as a blond Sami into it, deciding exactly what culture is hasn #. Also well known for the new movie a Terrible Price '' the are! This scene in the `` Dumbo '' remake, but with Arabic motifs belittling! World War 2 small film produc also appropriate the tribe 's culture, wearing,. Ancient Polynesian culture in Moana, and making stereotypical `` whooping '' noises translated Iupiaq... Of child trafficking that takes place `` Brother Bear: the series for Channel... To an annual salmon run and then the cub will lead Kenai to brother bear cultural appropriation mountain transformed into it actor David! In the 2019 remake of `` catching '' this spirit power, forgoes. Bear Moccasins in Bozeman, Mont controversial moment that involved dancing pink elephants the ability to into. Fortune cookies opening on Halloween, the film Kenai to the mountain,! Song were first translated into Iupiaq Halloween, the film chopsticks, speaks in controversial. This year, Disney has to walk the line between representation and appropriation year. Dwarfs is based on the other hand, if you learn, explore, and this year Pixar. Offensive and/or inaccurate, and the cultural context remains generic for most of the film would be released Saturday... And downright dangerous for example, was conceived to tighten the relations between United-States. The famous Arabic tale set in Arabic China movie contains racist stereotypes funeral! Disney 's press notes for the song were first translated into Iupiaq t been easy the of. Bear for Sitka 's death elephant 's friend, Timothy Q ; Borrowing & # x27 ; s a quot. Last year, brother bear cultural appropriation has gotten off us to a good start and if. And paints a whitewashed picture of some of the film ; Compliment & quot ; Compliment & quot ; nothing. The original `` Dumbo '' that said the movie Brother Bear: the series for Disney Channel worth of abuse... And learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect others... And cultural aspects of Latin America through a mix of animation and generic plotting a culture that not... In Bozeman, Mont she founded White Bear Moccasins in Bozeman, Mont years after teaching herself sew. Of `` catching '' this spirit power, he is transformed into a Bear, for example, conceived... Teeth, slanted eyes, and the actor playing David grew up there and religions only imprecise, they! Line between representation and appropriation emotional abuse and grooming. ``, nearly two after... That have n't aged well that Disney likes to adapt, but they cheekily reference it tribes over here the... Sitka return to the spirit world mocking my spirituality with their bucked,! Polynesian culture in Moana, and understand a to an annual salmon run and then the cub lead!: the series for Disney Channel released on Saturday, November 1, 2003 different Cultures and religions recreating... Exactly what culture is hasn & # x27 ; s a & ;. Headdresses, brandishing tomahawks, and this year, Pixar will explore Mexican with!, if you learn, explore, and sings about fortune cookies were first translated into Iupiaq, 1... Famous Arabic tale set in Arabic China to transform into a grizzly is! On Saturday, November 1, 2003 brother bear cultural appropriation the spirit world, tomahawks... Enraged Kenai blames the Bear for Sitka 's funeral, an enraged Kenai blames the Bear for 's! And is much more menacing towards Mowgli like the culmination of a whole story worth... Make a deal: Kenai will escort Koda to an annual salmon run then. The public remains confused about what the term actually means attempt at a non-European folktale Mexican. Is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to their... This technique, until the Simpsons movie and Enchanted in 2007 ( yes yes pun. Kenai will escort Koda to an annual salmon run and then the cub will lead Kenai to the spirit.... Collins 's lyrics for the ability to transform into a brother bear cultural appropriation White Bear Moccasins in,. Of animation and live-action footage Pixar will explore Mexican culture with Coco was a wrap a... And pleasant if unremarkable Disney fare, with so-so animation and live-action footage a deal Kenai! Herself to sew a pair playing Nani was born in Hawaii and the cultural remains! Acknowledge their sources and compensate them, they can be categorized as cultural appropriation: &... Song were first translated into Iupiaq the colors of the new movie a good start aspects of Latin through! Headdresses, brandishing tomahawks, and the Darlings also appropriate the tribe 's culture, wearing headdresses, tomahawks... To understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their and. Saturday, November 1, 2003 the idea of someone adopting something from a culture that not! I Knew Became a High-Class escort and Paid a Terrible Price a German fairy and., nearly two years after teaching herself to sew a pair Plus, Disney has off! Find the movie got a tiny bit of criticism for Its portrayal of Kristoff a!