The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsOpen Letter to the Creators of Disney's Live-Action Feature Film 'The Legend of Mulan'
Whitewashing? Really? This would completely destroy the story.
As an Asian American person in the industry, I am furious after reading this script. I am writing this letter anonymously so all the fans anticipating this remake will know how problematic it is in its current form. We must urge the creators of Disney's live-action Mulan to reconsider the story before the film goes into production.
The 1998 Disney animated classic focused on Mulan's transition from being a young girl failing to fit the mold of a perfect daughter and wife to a heroine whose brave acts ultimately save ancient China. Her determination allows her to rise above the gender expectations of her culture and become the one who brings "honor to us all." Hers is essentially an Asian American tale because it fused Asian characters and culture with a coming-of-age hero's journey that resonated with American audiences.
So why does the script for the live-action remake feature a white male lead?
More: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2016/10/an-open-letter-to-creators-of-disneys.html
hunter
(38,313 posts)Wait... something's wrong with that picture...
sarge43
(28,941 posts)She must have visited Japan once or twice. Does that count?
Orrex
(63,212 posts)But even I said WTF to that one.
I get that these decisions are driven by the perceived marketability of the stars, but come on!
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)mainer
(12,022 posts)I hadn't heard about this.
mainer
(12,022 posts)It's now going to be an all-Asian cast. A white trader character sounds stupid anyway, because Mulan supposedly lived sometime between 350 - 500 CE. I kinda doubt there were many white traders in China back then.
http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/fans-dont-want-a-mulan-with-a-white-male-lead.html
But that doesn't change the fact Disney's screwing up the story anyway. The legend is about a WOMAN WARRIOR who achieves glory on her own. Why does there need to be a male lead at all? Because women can't be warriors?
pokerfan
(27,677 posts)I agree. The story doesn't need a male lead. That's pretty much the point of the legend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Mulan?wprov=sfla1
mainer
(12,022 posts)from that same wikipedia page:
Now that would be an interesting and unique plot for Hollywood.