Tag Archives: animated movies

Miyazaki’s “Ponyo” Is One Fly Fishy

Carrie WasterlainJune 26, 2009 //

A new heroine, Ponyo, will be making her debut on American screens on August 14. The film made a whopping $165 million in Japan, where it was originally produced, and won the Japanese Academy’s award for best animation film and best score. Keep reading »

Interracial Dating In “The Princess And The Frog” — So What?

Annika HarrisApril 28, 2009 //

Later this year, Disney plans to release its first animated musical featuring a black princess, “The Princess and the Frog.” Even lthough Disney is taking a big, albeit late, step by creating its first black princess, the project hasn’t been without controversy. First, Disney changed the heroine’s name to Tiana from Maddy, a stereotypical slave name. Then, the producers changed her profession from chambermaid to restaurant entrepreneur. Now, people are up in arms because Princess Tiana’s love interest, Prince Naveen, looks white. He’s described as having olive-toned skin and a slight Spanish accent — because he’s voiced by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos. Could it be that Disney, which has a history of marginalizing blacks, is actually promoting interracial dating? Keep reading »