Evolving Cultural Standards in Disney Films

Abstract

Disney, which remains one of the largest entertainment corporations today, consistently reproduces classic fairy tales as live-action remakes. With such a hold on entertainment, the company has set standards for cultural depictions across age-groups and countries. Despite this, representations of culture in mainstream media have become an increasingly important topic of discussion. This discussion has transformed into a concern as many scholars debate whether contemporary media improve cultural portrayals and understandings worldwide. In order to examine this unexplored area specifically within live-action remakes and observe whether certain cultural stereotypes are reflected, reinterpreted, or developed across generations, this study will utilize a hermeneutic content analysis. Cultural stereotypes are defined as generalizations or oversimplifications of cultures, ethnicities, or national groups. The study’s emphasis on Disney films and live-action remakes allowed the selection of film pairs: Aladdin, Peter Pan and Wendy, and Mulan. By exploring how accurately each film depicts traditions, values, and experiences of cultures, several evaluations were able to focus on specific areas such as cultural authenticity, character presence, narrative framing, and casting choices. These categories will be observed using thematic elements present in the films including the dialogue, settings, character behaviours, and costuming. By using a direct comparison to animations and live-action remakes, the research was able to establish a set procedure that used both qualitative and quantitative aspects to observe each film’s evolution of stereotypical narratives and relate it to broader mainstream media.