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The initial release of Moana was unfortunate timing, coinciding with the start of Donald Trump’s presidency in 2016. At a time when Disney princesses were typically portrayed as lovesick, dependent, and uninteresting characters, Moana stood out as a strong leader who was not interested in romance and had a realistic body type. This was a refreshing change, especially considering the political climate of the United States at the time, with its potential shift towards regressive ideologies.
This one stood out as a significant cultural symbol, showcasing a stunning inability to keep up with changing societal norms. Blade Runner’s portrayal of a dystopian future ruled by corporations and post-human enslavement was particularly striking during the rise of Reaganomics. Despite this, there was a refreshing quality to the unconventional narrative of a courageous, kindhearted young woman and her demigod companion. The demigod’s fluctuation between self-absorbed arrogance and apologetic regret for their personal and societal failures added an endearing element to the story, resonating with audiences everywhere.
Even though a particular cultural moment may seem to go against the current societal trends, it can still have the strength and determination to make a statement. As we approach a potential second term for President Trump, perhaps this is the perfect moment for a sequel to Moana to come out of Disney, which has become a target for the American conservative movement. This film can defy those who want Disney to go back to their traditional storytelling style that was abandoned in the 1990s due to lack of popularity.
Amidst increasing division, Gina Carano has filed a lawsuit against Disney (with financial support from Elon Musk) for being fired from The Mandalorian. In this current climate, the return of Moana may be exactly what we need. The film would not have been released before the studio’s shift away from traditional American and Eurocentric family values in the late 1990s. According to reports from Hollywood publications, discussions are underway for Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho to reprise their roles as Maui and Moana respectively.
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The next installment in the Moana franchise, Moana 2, was initially planned as a television series. However, due to positive feedback from studio head Bob Iger and his team after seeing early footage, it will now be released as a feature film in November. This decision has no impact on the development of a live-action Moana movie, which was previously discussed but will not feature Auli’i Cravalho as the lead. The live-action film is still slated to debut in theaters next year.
For those who still criticize Disney, it should be noted that in the past, they portrayed Native Americans as primitive and inarticulate beings who were hunted by the lost boys in Peter Pan (1953), featured a character named Sunflower who was half African American and half donkey, and presented a Caribbean crab named Sebastian who sang about the benefits of being unemployed and seemed to be under the influence of a sea-spliff (1989’s The Little Mermaid). However, the studio has likely spent the years since then making amends for these missteps. Was it due to pressure from liberal Hollywood or society’s struggle with children’s films that reinforced harmful stereotypes?
It may take several decades before we can truly understand Moana’s place among other significant figures, as the United States and the rest of the western world either continue on their slow and turbulent journey towards a future of acceptance and empathy, or descend into a fascist and authoritarian society resembling that of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” where Trump and his family have reverted back to a 1950s-like mentality of strict and conservative stereotypes. In this world, men are men, women are women, everyone on screen is white and Christian, and there is likely no room for a young woman of color and her god-king companion as they travel across the pre-industrialized, plastic-free Pacific without encountering any colonial influences.
Source: theguardian.com
