Dads In the Mix: The Princess and the Frog Continued
In a previous post I wrote about Disney’s upcoming animated movie featuring its first black princess, The Princess and The Frog. As the father of biracial children, I am excited about the movie and about the interracial relationship it depicts. Since I brought it up, I didn’t want to drop the ball so, here is a little follow-up.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I can’t make any judgments but I do want to pass on some interesting tidbits. You read all kinds of things on the internet and often, can’t tell rumor from truth but here are some things that I have culled that have sufficient verisimilitude along with some facts and useful resources from Disney itself.
First, the controversy…apparently, information leaked early on about the movie started a firestorm of criticism. The original title was “The Frog Princess” rather than “The Princess and The Frog.” The princess’ name was going to be Maddy, which sounded too much like a slave name for some and she was depicted as a chambermaid as was her mother. The story takes place in New Orleans, the site of one of the worst natural disasters in recent history that affected, disproportionately, New Orleans’ black population. The creative team behind the movie is Ron Clements and Ron Musker (who have did brilliant work on Aladdin and The Little Mermaid) and the movie was scored by Randy Newman (who is also brilliant). However, these are all white men. Some of the other characters in the story include practitioners of Voodoo and a singing Alligator. I could probably go on listing things that offended people if I looked hard enough and I am not personally convinced that all of these things are offensive, although I can see how some might take them that way.
Disney quickly responded to the outcry. I don’t know how much they changed but certainly the name of the movie, the princess and her depiction have been altered. Disney spokesperson Heidi Trotta told A-List Magzine the following,
“While it is a Studio policy that we do not comment on our animated films while they are in the early stages of production due to the nature of our evolving development process, it has come to our attention that there is incorrect information being circulated about Disney’s 2009 motion picture The Princess and the Frog.
The central character is a young girl named Princess Tiana. The story takes place in the charming elegance and grandeur of New Orleans’ fabled French Quarter during the Jazz Age. She is the newest addition to the Studio’s royal family of Disney Princesses. Princess Tiana will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney’s rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity.
This American fairy tale is several years away from completion and the creative process is ongoing. No other details regarding the film have been released at this point, and unfortunately much of the information that has surfaced, including the casting breakdown . . . is inaccurate. When we do casting calls we frequently use substitute information as we don’t want details out about the movies. Therefore that information you have is incorrect.”
So it became The Princess and The Frog featuring Princess Tiana. She is a great “heroine” and it takes place in the New Orleans fabled French Quarter. Certainly sounds better.
Enough of the controversy…. Disney responded to criticism and seems to be making every attempt to please all while still staying true to their artistic vision, which is a positive thing.
Further, it is incredibly exciting that this movie is the first in 4 years to return to 2D hand-drawn cel animation. And the stills I have seen are amazing!
It is confirmed that the lead character Tiana will be voiced by Anika Noni Rose, who most of you probably remember from Dreamgirls but I had the privilege of seeing live on Broadway in her Tony Award winning role in Caroline, or Change. She is a superb actress and has a voice beyond compare.
Disney has set the movie in the Jazz Age and has provided, on it’s web site, some excellent educational resources for anyone interested in hearing or learning more about Jazz and it’s history. On their web site, click on the tab that says “Community.”
The movie opens in limited release in Los Angeles and New York on November 25 and then everywhere December 11. And, for those lucky enough to be New York or Los Angeles from November 25 through December 13, Disney is offering an The Ultimate Disney Experience which includes a screening of the movie, meeting ALL the princesses, including Tiana, a lesson in drawing from a real Disney animator, a display of original props and costumes, a Bayou adventure featuring rope swinging and tree climbing and Kodak Photo booths that put you in the movie.
The link above is for regular tickets or you can go to Goldstar, through which you may be able to get discount tickets.
I know what some of you may be thinking and no, I do not work for Disney. However, I may be updating you occasionally with any new news as the release of the film approaches.