Disney held monthly meetings to make sure the contents of its collection needed to be added to the alert.
The meetings are virtually held and are “very crude” according to one participant.
“We’ve had some very rough conversations on those zoms,” Gil Robertson, president of the African American Film Critics Association, told the Hollywood Reporter. As part of the Advisory Council for Disney’s Stories Matter initiative, Robertson and his colleagues noticed that the films were potentially problematic and then reported their reactions to Disney.
“They want to make up for any offensive message they may be a part of,” Robertson told the publication. “It sounds honestly, and it’s good business too.”
In November 2019, when Disney launched its Disney + streaming service, the company launched its animated classics “Dumbo” (1941), “The Jungle Book” (1967) and “Aladdin” (1992) to warn viewers. Added further content warning. “Old cultural depictions may occur.”
The iconic films “Aristotle” (1970), “Peter Pan” (1953) and “Swiss Family Robinson” (1960) are also further warnings of the film.
The highly controversial “Song of the South” (1946) is not available on the streaming service.
More recently, “The Muppet Show” had warning disclaimers before each episode, warning viewers that the show contained “stereotypes” and “mistreatment of people or cultures”.
“Instead of removing this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful effects, learn from it and spark conversations to create a more inclusive future together,” The disclaimer says, “Disney is committed to creating stories with inspiring and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience worldwide.”
Disclaimer is not an indication that the films have been canceled, Ben Mancwijic, a host of the classic TV network TCM, told the reporter.
“Nobody is canceling these films,” he said. “Our job is not to get up and say, ‘Here’s a movie you should feel guilty for liking.” But to pretend that racism is not painful and intense in it? No, I do not want to avoid it. It was unavoidable. And welcomed. And overdue
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