In another life, I taught Women Studies at a university and one of my areas of research was women in the media. I taught classes and workshops on gender stereotypes embedded in advertisements, movies and children's books. Some misogynistic representations of women were subtle, some were violent and overt, but none were as controversial as Disney.
There were very few topics that students were as resistant to thinking about or analyzing as classic Disney, or any other children's movie or book for that matter. Homophobia discussions? No problem. Lectures on the history of abortion rights? Not to worry. Disagree with the little mouse about the many ways in which women were killed, neglected, saved only by good looks and a powerful man, whittled away from celluloid strength and power? Oooh, too taboo.
Liz Kelly has stumbled upon her own kid flick controversy over at Celebritology, only this one's about about Pixar. Sparked by seeing Ratatouille, she says loud and clear that there aren't any female leads in their movies -- not just not enough, not any. I love it that she not only raises up Pixar for their gutsiness, originality and for creating characters - both female and male -- that are strong and engaging and independent-minded, but that she also compares their movies to the Disney classics that are a disappointment for parents wanting their kids to see strong girls and boys take the lead on-screen. She admits she can't wait for her son to see the Pixar movies she loves but says she also hopes that when that time comes, Pixar's busy promoting a movie featuring a girl.
The not-so-surprising thing is that the reader comments are equally as loud as Liz Kelly's assertion, and not all of them are cheering her on. In fact, the comments hit so close to home for me that I almost took attendance and handed out grades for analytical inquiry. Even though lots of these readers roll their eyes and throw flames, I think it is really right on for her to admit her love for Pixar but to also ask them to do what they do even better. No matter how Bambi or Nemo loving you are, how can you argue with that?
