All Around The World !

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All Around The World !

Looking at animated fims today, I don't feel like there's enough diversity. You hardly ever see other countries, other cultures, and other races.

(This is of no offense to anyone)
Most lead characters are american, caucasian, and rarely deal with some of the issues of today. I can remember those few that push outside the american culture.
For example, Disney's "Mulan" worked its way into China and not only delt with their way of life, but also with war. Let's not forget "Pochahontas", who introduced Indian life.
How about other races? Spanish, Italian, African American. By the way, you pretty much never see a lead character who is one of those races.

Other studios may share some diversity, but I'm more familiar with Disney.

It would also bo nice to have a little more reality behind the characters. Most of them appear perfect. I'm guessing you won't see too many overweight or unattractive characters leading.

There is, however, the character of Quese Motto in "The Huncheback of Notre dame" and the orgre considered ugly in "Shrek". It's mainly seen in tv movies.
What about disabilities? Do studios consider it unattractive to viewers or just too dull? Those factors can hit close to home. Would putting such facts into a film be a little too much for kids?
Audience members range from young and old. I'd love to travel when I finish college and learn about different cultures and have fun.

Some productions do respond to culture and put a little twist to it, like "Lilo and Stitch", where we learned about Hawaiian life and genetic experiments.

Thanks.
Note: I'm not always aware of upcoming animated films that touch this subject. I'd just like to know your opinions. Sorry if this has been discussed.

I think Stitch helped push the envelope, but haven't seen much since then.

Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.

I think this is a discussion where semantics are important. Spanish and Italian aren't races so much as ethnicities, nationalities. That's not totally important though since I think you were centering moreso on culture.

Nevertheless, while some of these are Caucasians other's aren't, and none are from the U.S. (Which I'm assuming you meant by 'American,' rather than the whole western hemisphere)

Road to El Dorado: Spanish
Giacomo's Secret: Italian
Pinnochio: Italian
The Jungle Book: India
Aladdin: Asia/Arabia (apparently some production notes indicate a medieval Iraq basis)
The Lion King: Africa
The Rescuers Down Under: Australia
One Hundred and One Dalmatians: England
Peter Pan (excepting Neverland): England
Aristocats: France
Great Mouse Detective: England
Emperor's New Groove: South America (not sure of the country)

Most of the Disney fairy tales are tied to middle ages through Renaissance Europe.

It's funny that you mentioned the bodies. I used to live near Detroit and given its history Pocahontas pissed a lot of people off because she was (in their words) "Barbie proportions" instead of the truth, which is that she had the silhouette of a garbage bag full of raked leaves; even that I don't totally blame on them so much because pictures and sculptures remember her as average-sized.

I hadn't given much thought to it, but as far as major studio feature releases, there is quite a shortage of black characters.