When Disney+ launched, several movies carried a disclaimer admitting to outdated depictions of certain cultures and people, with many of the company’s older films featuring content that has not held up well in 2020. Now, the advisory messages have been updated, and Disney has established a new website to better address this material.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the disclaimers before movies like Peter Pan, The Aristocats, Dumbo, and Swiss Family Robinson now point towards Disney’s “Stories Matter” page, which was created in collaboration with a third-party advisory council. The site directly addresses some of the issues in these films.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are in the process of reviewing our library and adding advisories to content that includes negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures,” the page says. “Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. We also want to acknowledge that some communities have been erased or forgotten altogether, and we’re committed to giving voice to their stories as well.”
The page goes into detail about what, specifically, is wrong with these films, with the examples on the page right now focusing on racist depictions within these four films.
Here’s the full disclaimer leading into the link:
“This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.
Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.”
In the past, Disney+ has altered and edited some content on its service–most notably, covering up a butt in Splash with weird CGI hair. Pixar’s next film, Soul, will release onto Disney+ on Christmas day.
