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Who hasn't seen at least one of the Disney films “Jungle Book”, “Lady and the Tramp”, “Peter Pan”, “Aristocats” or “Dumbo”?
Now the streaming portal Disney + has blocked the classic animated films for viewers in Germany who access them in children's mode.
The only information displayed is that the selected title "violates your profile settings for child safety".
However, the streaming portal does not want to completely forbid its viewers to watch the foundling Mowgli on his adventures with the panther Baghira and the bear Balu in "Jungle Book" or to cheer when the elephant boy of the same name with the big ears soars into the air in "Dumbo".
The films can still be viewed via an adult profile.
However, a text is shown in advance that cannot be rewound.
In the USA this step was taken earlier than in Germany.
The text on the screen advises viewers that the following program contains “negative representations and / or incorrect treatment of people and cultures”.
The stereotypes presented were already wrong back then and they are still so today.
Disney + wants to encourage an exchange about stereotypes
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It goes on to explain why the streaming service decided against removing “Dumbo”, “Jungle Book” or “Peter Pan” entirely: It is important to “show the“ harmful effects ”of the films,“ to learn from them and to stimulate conversations ".
Such conversations should "make it possible to create a more inclusive future together without discrimination."
Basically, this means that children can continue to watch the films with adults, but Disney + would like to have an accompanying education.
Parents should talk to their pupils about the stereotype presented and show them how they can learn for the future from the harmful effects of discrimination.
That sounds promising, but it raises many questions: What stereotypes can be found in films like "Dumbo" or "Peter Pan"?
What are the effects?
How can this be conveyed to children?
And first of all, who will read and heed the teaching?
The streaming portal was advised by experts
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A link at the end of the text display provides some information.
It leads to the website of "Stories Matter".
This is an initiative in which Disney deals with the presentation of its films.
Here the film company reveals that it was advised by experts on the blocking and the text insertion of the classic films.
For example, the African American Filmcritics Association (AAFCA), which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the film and television industry, and an institute founded by actress Geena Davis, which researches gender representation in the media, are represented on the expert advisory board.
It also explains what stereotypes the experts think they convey for four Disney films.
So it is said of the film “Dumbo” from 1941, the music number of the singing crow quintet uses racist clichés.
They are an homage to minstrel shows, "in which white performers with blackened faces and tattered clothes imitated and ridiculed enslaved Africans on the plantations of the southern states."
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With its new demands, Disney + joins the symbol and identity political activities of other streaming services.
In June of last year, HBO Max, WarnerMedia's streaming portal, caused a sensation to temporarily remove the classic film "Gone with the Wind" from its platform.
The film, which won eight Academy Awards, was later revived.
However, the audience is now presented with a five-minute clip at the beginning in which the African-American film scholar Jacqueline Stewart explains to what extent the film is glossing over slavery.