Disney does Voodoo?
Tuesday March 13, 2007
Disney has a new animation project in the works for next year, an adaptation of a classic fairy-tale called "The Frog Princess." The movie will feature the usual singing and dancing animals, as well as Disney's first African American princess character, in a period setting. The part that worries me is that the story will be set in New Orleans, and will feature characters who practice Voodoo, including, of course, and evil villain named (no kidding) "Dr. Duvalier."
This is the first time that I'm aware of that Disney has tried to incorporate the practices of a real religion into one of its movies. There's a positive "Voodoo priestess" character as well, but the presence of alligator who sells his soul for a good singing voice echoes the usual misconception that practitioners of this ancient faith are in fact little more than dressed-up devil worshipers. Voodoo theology of course has no hell and no devil, so selling one's soul would be be a tricky proposition.
In any case, the movie is a long way off, and hopefully, they realize they could be the first introduction to the religion many people will have, sol hopefully they will avoid the usual pitfalls and do justice to the topic.
Comments
Add this to the list of reasons the xian right boycotts Disney - right after “Gay Day” parades and overt phallic symbology in their movies for kids.
I would pay, however, to see the film, assuming it tells a story worth hearing.
Just because it isn’t a Christian religeous belief doesn’t make it wrong. Voodoo has been practiced for centuries in Africa, and has a strong metaphycial and cosmological principle. The people who practice Voodoo are just as faithful to the power of Voodoo as Christians are to their God. If anything, Disney is opening minds to new concepts and ideas from other parts of the world.
I never said that Voodoo is wrong (??), but that Disney may be doing harm to the religion by portraying a Voodoo priest as a villain, which may reinforce the misconception that Voodoo is “black magic.”
Voodoo was never practiced in Africa. Voodoo is a combination of poly-theistic beliefs and Christian beliefs slaves were introduced to when they arrived in the America’s. Furthermore, there is a dualism inherent in voodoo. There are good dieties and bad dietites.
Peace.
adiaha
There are different paths of Vodoun… some good, some evil, some a little of each. Why is it bad to portray more than one side?
disney doing justice to a topic ?!?!
let’s leave the fantasy to them
Good for Disney,
We always enjoy their movies and their cultural diversity is wonderful for the children.