This 32-Year-Old Disney Classic Has More Problems Than You Thought
Despite its enduring popularity, Disney’s 1992 animated masterpiece ‘Aladdin’ has numerous problems with cultural representation. The movie, which was one of Disney’s first attempts to include diversity, was heavily criticized for reinforcing stereotypes and inaccurately portraying Middle Eastern culture. Though based on the stories of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, it has few real Arab aspects and instead uses Westernized representations. The voice cast is primarily made up of white actors imitating exaggerated accents, and the setting, characters, and accents all fall short of truly capturing Middle Eastern culture.
The way that good and evil are portrayed in the movie also falls into unsettling clichés. While antagonists like Jafar have deeper skin tones and strong “Arab” accents, protagonists like Aladdin and Jasmine have lighter complexions and Westernized features. This disparity perpetuates negative ideas about morals and looks. Furthermore, the architecture, music, and dances are all very different from Arab customs and instead resemble a fusion of Bollywood style.
Image Courtesy: Disney Movies
Princess Jasmine’s flimsy romantic turn undermines her character journey, which is meant to be a sign of freedom. She is shown as a powerful, independent woman, yet her interest in Aladdin appears to be based on his possession of a magic carpet. Although Aladdin’s internal conflict over self-worth gives his character more nuance, the movie’s portrayal of interpersonal interactions and social conventions feels quite Westernized, further separating it from its cultural origins.
‘Aladdin’ set the stage for Disney’s subsequent attempts to enhance cultural representation in spite of these shortcomings. The company now places a strong emphasis on authenticity and diversity, working with a variety of producers and casting performers from marginalized communities.
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Disney’s growing dedication to presenting stories with authenticity and respect is demonstrated by movies like ‘Moana’, which immerses viewers in Polynesian culture, and the impending ‘Snow White’ remake, which stars a non-white Prince Charming. ‘Aladdin’ serves as a reminder of the value of careful representation in international storytelling even though it is still regarded as a cultural landmark.
–Farheen Ali