The much-anticipated Disney remake of the 85-year-old classic cartoon Snow White is debuting in cinemas this week. This new version, which has already stirred significant controversy, aims to offer a refreshing take on the timeless fairy tale. The updated story presents a young woman with a more substantial role than the original narrative's "Someday My Prince Will Come" theme, hoping to inspire young Colombian girls who have yet to see themselves reflected in a Disney princess. However, the film's production has been fraught with challenges, including false casting rumors, calls for boycotts, and backlash over creative decisions.
The remake has faced scrutiny from the start, as rumors falsely suggested that Disney had cast a white actress in the lead role. In reality, Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, stars as Snow White, marking an effort by Disney to diversify its storytelling. However, this decision has sparked debate about cultural narratives.
“In attempting to speak to more diverse audiences by putting a Latina into a Germanic narrative without acknowledging certain elements of what it means to be Latina potentially does little to make space for more Latina stories and just presents new bodies in old stories as progress,” said Peter Kunze.
Despite these challenges, the film aspires to be a role model for underrepresented communities. Brandy expressed her support for the project, stating:
“You’re doing this for every little Colombian girl who has yet to see themselves in a role like a Disney princess.”
The film also replaces the seven dwarves with "magical creatures" after Disney consulted with members of the dwarfism community to avoid reinforcing stereotypes. This change was made amidst broader efforts to present a more inclusive and compassionate narrative.
“I was trying to make a movie that was a little bit more compassionate and a little bit more inclusive, and I think that’s what we ended up with,” noted Erin Cressida Wilson.
However, the controversies don't end there. The original Snow White, revered as a classic alongside works like Hamlet in theatre, had its share of dated tropes. The remake has been criticized for its depiction of Prince Charming's interactions with the princess. Furthermore, Rachel Zegler has faced racist abuse for her portrayal of Snow White.
The film's release comes at a time when Disney is navigating various public relations challenges. There were calls to boycott the film following Mulan's lead actress Liu Yifei's support for the Hong Kong police. Moreover, the credits of the film notably thanked eight government entities in Xinjiang, where Uyghur Muslims have been detained in internment camps, further complicating its reception.
Stephen Galloway commented on the situation:
“You’re going into this with a movie called Snow White. It’s hard to imagine a picture in this DEI, or post-DEI, post-woke age could be more controversial and polarising – and Disney is all about not being polarising, bringing people together and avoiding controversy at all costs.”
Adding to Disney's woes, the film will not have its traditional Leicester Square red carpet premiere due to lackluster advance ticket sales projections. This decision underscores the mixed expectations surrounding this high-profile release.
Rachel Zegler remains optimistic about the film's potential impact:
“It’s an 85-year-old cartoon, and our version is a refreshing story about a young woman who has a function beyond Someday My Prince Will Come.”