Protests for The Princess and the Frog?

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:16pm

Almost two years before its hoped-for release of its first hand-drawn animated film produced under the supervision of Pixar's John Lasseter, Disney has already drawn fire for alleged racial and ethnic insensitivities that were detected in its original announcement of the film, according to Disney watcher Jim Hill. Since the original title, The Frog Princess, might be regarded as a slur on the French, the title has been changed to The Princess and the Frog. The main character, named Maddy -- who was to become Disney's first black princess -- has had her name changed to Tiana, since Maddy reportedly sounded too much like Mammy. She will no longer be seen as a chambermaid working for a rich, white spoiled Southern débutante. In a statement, Disney, which said that it ordinarily does not comment on its animated films in the early stages of production, observed: "The story takes place in the charming elegance and grandeur of New Orleans' fabled French Quarter during the Jazz Age. ... 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."


I gotta ask, as stupid as this sounds, what is offensive to the French when calling her The Frog Princess? I asked my mum (who's from France) and she didn't even get it..

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:30pm

Frog is a derogatory term for a Frenchman. It is not as commonly used as something like Spic or Dago, but still insensitive. I am not sure of the origin. I am surprised your Mother didn't know that.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:45pm

Rath was the very first person on this board to voice displeasure at the use of the name "Maddy." Although, IIRC, not because of its similarity to "mammy" but that, to Rath, it simply didn't sound black enough. We all know how street our Rath is.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:49pm

HAHAHA. you would think this was a terry gilliam flick, not a Disney movie!

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:51pm

This sounds like a rumor, mostly because there's no sources cited in thte blurb save for a "Disney watcher."

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:54pm

Rose - It IS an imdb article. I was just bringing it up.

Thank you Sueleen. And no, she didn't know it. Is it an insult more commonly used by americans? Because when it comes to American duragatory terms, she's clueless. I doubt she's really heard any of those names, she doesn't pay attention for foreign animosity towards her country.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 11:56pm

I know, I saw it earlier this weekend. :)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 12:00am

Archie Bunker used it, if that's any indicator.

[shira467]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 12:06am

I figured they were having issues with the implied bestiality.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 5/14/07 at 1:32pm

There was a great bit on "Family Guy" last night about Disney and black people.

This film already stinks. It's really lame they have to invent an "American Fairytale." There are thousands of African tales that would suffice and not play to this pathetic notion Disney has that it should or could hit all demographs. The very idea that it was possible for Black royalty in the south during that time is simply ludicrous and even for older kids (who know their history) might be stretch. I imagine at her age, Maddy had been well on her way to Mammyhood. Talking down to the audience is probably the biggest disservice and insult.

What it breaks down to me is the following: 1. Disney needs a splashy return to 2D. 2. Disney needs a black princess for it's lineup. 3. The New Orleans bit kills me.....are there words for that kind of pandering?

If you live in a minority, it’s these kinds of “hand-outs” that are the most racist. The very fact Disney has to second-guess their motives, stories, character names, even titles should really be a sign the project is a bad idea. I understand with Mermaid and Beauty there may have been some PC concerns, but really…isn’t trial by committee what killed 2D in the first place? White people never complain Disney's princesses are "European." I don't get why they would choose NoLo.