Inside the Snow White Movie Controversy
On March 21st, we’ll be treated to Disney’s latest rendition of Snow White. Yet, from the moment it was introduced to the public, it’s faced quite a bit of backlash. We’re talking as far back as two years.
Detractors say it unnecessarily changed the storyline while fans say there’s nothing wrong with artistic expression. So, what is the Snow White live-action controversy? And, is anybody really right or wrong?
What's the Snow White Controversy?
The star of the new Snow White movie is the beautiful Rachel Zegler. She’s certainly tried to demonstrate poise and grace in her response to the naysayers. She's interpreting their feelings about the film as their passion for the character and considers it an honor to be part of something that people are so passionate about.
The film’s director, Marc Webb, also took an interesting stance. He said, “The original Snow White didn’t break the mold… it created the mold.” But, he wanted to focus on the fact that good stories evolve over time. He believes we’re allowed to re-tell them to reflect the world we live in now.
Snow White’s Origin Story
In addition to the complaints that this new rendition is too “woke,” Zegler also had to deal with some commentary that had a racist bent to it. She’s of Polish and Colombian descent, and her skin has a lovely olive tone. Meanwhile, in the original film, Snow White’s skin is, well, “as white as snow.”
To that, Zegler said there’s another version of Snow White where she survived a snowstorm as a baby. As a result, the king and queen named her Snow White in honor of her resilience. If that’s true, that sounds kind of lovely, doesn’t it?
Other Controversies
One instance where Zegler’s commentary might have muddied the waters is when she called the original version “dated” and said Prince Charming literally “stalks” Snow White. We can make of that what we will.
Peter Dinklage – one of the finest actors in Game of Thrones – also made a public comment about the film that sparked a new controversy. He was taken aback by the fact that Disney could be progressive enough to cast a Latina in the role of Snow White, but still keep the storyline about a bunch of dwarves living in a cave together. He thought they could’ve evolved that plotline, as well.
Amid the flurry, there’s yet another rumor in the mill about an ongoing feud between Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Gadot plays the Evil Queen. Reportedly, they have differing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This is particularly touchy, as Gadot was born in Israel.
Where Do You Stand?
Where do you stand amidst all the controversy? Are artists allowed to take creative liberties with time ol’ classics? Or should they be required to honor the original? Perhaps we should give the film a chance before we form too many conclusions?
If great cinematography is your form of escapism, you might enjoy the movie, regardless of the flurry. And, if you do, keep coming back for more entertainment updates. We’ll be watching this story closely, as well as everything else our favorite Hollywood actors are up to.