Nadira Goffe, a staff writer at Slate with insights on pop culture, dives into the controversies surrounding Disney's live-action adaptation of Snow White. She discusses representation and the portrayal of dwarfs, addressing outdated stereotypes. Goffe examines casting choices that have sparked political debates and how they fit into broader inclusivity discussions. The impact of the original animated classic versus the new take is also explored, highlighting the ongoing tension between tradition and modern values in storytelling.
Criticism of the portrayal of dwarves in Disney’s Snow White highlights tensions between progressive representation and traditional storytelling elements.
Casting decisions reflecting diversity led to backlash against Rachel Zegler, emphasizing changing narratives around women's roles in film.
Deep dives
Controversies Surrounding Dwarf Representation
One significant controversy stems from criticisms regarding the portrayal of dwarves in the original Snow White, deemed ableist for its childlike depiction of these characters. Peter Dinklage notably called out Disney for its handling of this aspect, prompting the studio to announce they would consult with the dwarfism community. However, a leaked photo from the film's set suggested a lack of meaningful change, as the dwarves appeared similar to their animated counterparts but with CGI elements. The response highlights ongoing tensions between progressiveness and traditional representations in storytelling.
Diversity and Cultural Pushback
Another controversy emerged from casting decisions that reflect a shift toward diversity, which some conservative critics have opposed due to concerns over fidelity to the source material. Rachel Zegler, who portrays Snow White and has a mixed heritage, faced significant backlash, including racist remarks, for diverging from the traditional image of the character. Zegler also expressed criticism of the original narrative's themes, stating they were outdated concerning women's roles in film. These comments sparked further discontent among fans who felt a disconnect between the actress and the legacy of the original story.
Promotional Challenges and Reduced Visibility
The final controversies relate to the film's promotional strategies, which have raised eyebrows regarding the film's anticipated success. Notably, the stars, Zegler and Gal Gadot, have not actively promoted the movie together, raising questions about their off-screen relationship amid rumors of feuds. Additionally, the delayed ticket sales and a scaled-back premiere event indicated a cautious approach from Disney, which many believe suggests the studio's anxiety about potential box office performance. This lack of robust promotional efforts might reflect underlying issues that impact audience reception and overall interest.
Disney’s new live action Snow White has a little something to upset everyone, from casting to Israel-Palestine to President Trump. Slate’s Nadira Goffe and Vox’s Constance Grady explain.
This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Disney "Snow White" actress Rachel Zegler joins Sneezy & Sleepy on the red carpet for the movie premiere in Hollywood. Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Allegra.