A lengthy Disney-based discussion over at Pharyngula yields all sorts of recommendations for Disney movie alternatives, which supports one of our goals here: To turn off the Disney Default and find something better.
Notes: You may need to read the discussion to understand the context in which films and TV shows are recommended. They are not *my* recommendations, but we plan to see a few of them. And as always, know your kids before viewing.
Avatar: The Last Airbender [TV series; endorsed by C.L. herself)
The Spirit of the Beehive [film]
To Kill a Mockingbird [film]
Grave of the Fireflies [film; commentors note this is not for young children] *
Watership Down [film]
The Plague Dogs [film]
Allegro non Troppo [film]
Yellow Submarine [film]
Fullmetal Alchemist [TV series] *
Wolf’s Rain [TV series]
Mushi-Shi [TV series]
Girl Revolution Utena Revolutionary Girl Utena [TV series] *
The Triplets of Belleville [film; four-star rating from our family]
* UPDATE 7.2.2010 We’ve had additional concerns from commenters that these titles are not suitable for children.
Progress update: Project Runway recently began a new season on Disney-owned Lifetime. This is one show that we’re going to miss.
The girls and I began watching Project Runway online after several friends recommended it for C.L. She had developed an early interest in “fashion;” I wanted to nurture her interest while avoiding the all-too-common messages that girls already receive about their appearance, as evidenced in this recent Target back-to-school ad:
Just ask your daughter: The first-day-of-school outfit can totally make the whole year.
Nice. Project Runway goes beyond magazine-photo-shoot fashion spread and was a fun way to learn how clothing is made and witness the designers’ creative processes.
I won’t defend every aspect of the show (we have to talk about healthy eating whenever the models undress), but it’s been a great way to talk about creativity, hard work, and how to get along with people who are different from you. I’ve also since started teaching C.L. how to sew.
We’ll miss this season of Project Runway. I’m guess this may be one of the things we return to next fall.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
That should be “Revolutionary Girl Utena” not “Girl Revolution Utena.” I have no idea why IMDB has it wrong.
It’s a REALLY good show, though.
Thanks! I’ve changed it in the post.
Also, look into Shugo Chara and Pita Ten. Both are good shows for girls in the 8-12 year range. (If they don’t mind reading subtitles, that is.)
Now that Disney sold Miramax, does that change anything for you?
Brenda, yes. I think Miramax is off our list. Hard to keep track!
Andrew, thanks for the additional suggestions.
Just wanted to let you know that I read about your year in the Toronto edition of the Globe and Mail (Canada’s national paper). COULDN’T AGREE MORE. Just got back from a work trip to Disney in Florida and was dismayed by the experience for all the reasons you mentioned. GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
Thanks Miranda! I haven’t seen the article yet but will be hunting for a copy here in Minnesota.
Shoujo Kakumei Utena is not for exactly for kids. While I think it’s awesome for young people to understand that a female/female relationship is okay, some of the other stuff in the show is not only too surreal and brain-hurty for kids, there are some incredibly dark and complex themes in that show.
And um, Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies)? For kids? REALLY? Who is writing this list?
Holydust, thanks for your input. As I said, the list came from a discussion at another blog. The problem is that “kids” can be ages 2 to 16. I’m hoping parents use their own judgment. I’ll update the post.
I assume so, but are you also excluding non-Disney, but distributed by Disney, films like the Miyazaki ones?
You’re skirting around it with Grave of the Fireflies which is a Studio Ghibli (Miyazaki) production, but not one of theirs that is distributed by Disney if I recall. Originally Grave of the Fireflies and My Neighbor Totoro were shown as a double feature in Japan… strangest pairing of movies ever (in theory Fireflies was for the adult in the family, and totoro for the kids).
Some suggestions (I don’t think any of these are Disney):
Peter Pan (the live action one from 2003… really nails the tragedy of PP)
Labyrinth & Dark Crystal (Henson productions not sold to Disney w/ the muppets)
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller (available on Netflix streaming)
MirrorMask (Not sure if it’s too much for the 8yo)
Coraline
Where the Wild Things Are
Wallace & Gromit series
The Iron Giant
The Ice Age series
PS: For the record, while I understand what you’re protest is about, I also think it’s a shame to not expose kids to the wonderful art/stories that Miyazaki/Ghibli, Muppets & Pixar have put out. It is a difficult thing to separate the artistic endeavor from the corporate funding which profits from, and allows creation of, it. When the year is up, I hope you and your family can find a way to enjoy the work of these artists. And hopefully this will give you all a better ability to enjoy them for the art they are when created, instead the product they become when marketed.
CharlesP, thanks for adding to our list. The answer to your question is yes — thankfully, we’ve already seen most of the Miyazaki films (which we loved) and shouldn’t have a problem waiting a year to view again. I’m not so sold on Pixar, however, see Dear Pixar, From All The Girls With Band-Aids On Their Knees.
I do appreciate your comment about “art they are when created.” I think this is a great point to make to kids — and for myself also. Much appreciated.
I wouldn’t call Full Metal Alchemist suitable for kids either. Young adults probably. It’s very bloody in some points and has very deep themes regarding the line between good and evil. For example, the main character is looking for the Philosopher’s Stone to be able to get his brother’s body back (his body was destroyed but his soul was bound to a suit of armor) and discovers the only way to get it, is through murdering thousands. How far does one go in order to save family? What if those to be killed are criminals? Does this make it better?
Meanwhile, I’d also recommend the Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli films. My Neighbor Totoro is one of my favorite, but Miyazaki’s other films (Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, etc….) are all suitable as well.
I’m pretty sure our house couldn’t wait a year to watch the Miyazaki films again.
Addressing the problem of Disney now is strangely like addressing the problem of Disney when it started. There is the Walt side. The one with a sense of wonder and art and trying to tell stories and create a sense of magic/joy in an audience. And there is the Roy side which is ruthlessly corporate and profit driven. As it stands now, there is the money side of things which dictates that Disney Princesses make a ton of money, so they’ll spend a ton of money to make sure they keep making even larger tons of money. I think there were so many years between Walt and Lasseter (who I think has taken on the mantel of Walt as regards to making something quality and telling a good story) that it’s going to be a tough thing for their corporate culture to change. That said, there are two issues with Disney you seem to be addressing here (not that you’re the only one, but it’s your blog I’m on):
#1: Culturally pervasive commercialization
#2: Gender roles in film/culture/product
While I think the commercialization culture is an interesting discussion in general I’m not sure it’s as interesting on a company by company basis (Disney happens to be the most successful at it, but the inundation is hardly unique to them). To be topical, contempt for BP is easy, but is “condemn BP” (or even “condemn big oil”) as useful discussion to have as “what’s wrong with our culture and governmental policies that made it acceptable for deep water drilling to occur without significant safeguards in place. And furthermore what about how we’ve structured our society to have such a high need for that oil?”
I understand your decision to boycott Disney for reasons of questionable ethical actions re: the CCFC. I also understand there are people who protest/boycott/disdain them for the gender issues sort of thing in that Phyrangula video (that was the “what I learned from the Little Mermaid” video right?).
(Disclaimer: I am sold on Pixar until they prove me wrong by putting out a bad movie)
I think the key reason Pixar has not had strong female characters leading a movie is simply how they make movies. They are a director driven studio (not a “what’s our idea, let’s make a movie” place, but a “we like the way this person thinks and creates so let’s let them do it” place), and so far all of their directors have been men with more “boy” stories to tell. I’m comfortable with what they’ve done so far, in that they are not “boy” stories told at the expense of girls. In many of them what those boy stories are seems to hinge on the lessons learned from the girls/women in their lives (Marlin learns how to chill out from Dory, Sully learns how to love something besides his work from Boo, Woody & Jesse learn from each other how to live , McQueen learns from Sally what’s really important, Up is all about what Carl learns from Ellie, and The Incredibles is about the whole family relationship which is largely driven by Bob’s learning what his family means to him). This implies, or at least promotes, a healthy gender interaction I think. There is ‘Brave’ coming up from them which is directed by a woman. It appears to be about a (for lack of a better term) tomboy princess. Which, as the NPR piece points out, is still a princess, but I hope it’s a step in the right direction (let’s face it Mulan was a step in the right direction, and/but/though she doesn’t get the “Princess” marketing treatment these days).
Between Lasseter’s quality work and friendship with Miyazaki (who has a good feminist slant in much of his work), I expect that it’s only a matter of time before there are strong girl characters in more Pixar films (and with his influence in the larger Disney corporation I have hope Lasseter will bring some change there as well). What I don’t expect though, is that the Disney culture will change so much as to leave money on the table re: marketed/marketing products.
I’m saddened to not see Don Bluth’s “The Secret of NIMH” on this list. That’s one of my favorite movies growing up, and Non-Disney to boot. Then again, maybe you’ve already seen it (I tried to check out other posts here and didn’t see it mentioned).
But yes, give that one a watch!
I was a little confused and disappointed to see Disney targeted this way in the Globe & Mail. I understand Disney is very good at what they do and easy to use an example for a lot of good and bad things. However, as pointed out above, they are not unique this way in the industry. The only aspect that sets them apart is their size, and if you’re concerned about how big they’ve become, well then we need to examine how business as a whole has developed. As far as a business is concerned, they are doing everything that is expected of them and then some. They are maximizing their shareholder profits at a phenomenal rate, and for that I tip my hat to Mr. Iger (CEO) and the whole crew. They are also extremely involved in a socially responsible manner. They employ a massive amount of people, worldwide. Have strict standards for global product development to ensure wage rates and working conditions always meet high standards. I am also positive there are some components of Disney that can improve, and they work to do that everyday!
So I guess I am trying to say that I respect your initiative here, but I don’t agree with the company you have chosen, or the points you are protesting.
All, I’ll just toss this out here again: I’m not boycotting Disney simply because it’s a big company. Nor to be mean. A very specific incident led us to boycott Disney. The rest of the reasons may or may not apply to other companies. But other companies did not sic their lawyers on a tiny advocacy organization. Disney did.
SEM, thanks for the addition to our list. Haven’t seen it but will.
CharlesP, you should do a guest post. Really. I hope all readers see your comments.
I really admire what you’re doing. I get the same kind of push-back from people when I tell them I’ve lived without cable for eight years. You don’t miss what you don’t use. And the marketing to kids thing is gross. I have a 20-month old boy and we don’t watch much television with him besides the news. I would rather see what games he comes up with on his own than watch him ape television-inspired crap.
Have you tried CBC online for original content? Being Erica is a great show. They also have a lot of kids content. Some of it might be bought from overseas/American (Disney?) markets, but a lot of it is original to Canada.
Ellie, but I live in the U.S.! Will still check out CBC. Thanks for your support.
Hello! Saw the link on globeandmail.com and was perusing some of your posts….I have two younger sisters as well as a niece. My sister in law has put a ban on Disney products for her three year old but is finding it difficult to uphold. Everyone it seems wants our niece to “buy in” to the princess fantasy that Disney pushes on us. Thanks for this resource I will forward it on to her. The loss of Project Runway is a tough one, we love the show too. Finding healthy images of women in media is a constant struggle, and becomes all the more critical as my sisters are in their early teens. Thanks for the blog, and keep fighting the good fight!
-J
Hi, just came across and am filled with admiration! I am a ardent anti disney supporter and have recently taken part in a protest against beauty and the beast when the stage show came to my city but still cannot live without my dose of Gargoyles, and much of the ABC shows.
For alternative cartoons, have you considered old 90′s cartoons? I would think cartoons like Carmen Sandiego would be both fun and educational for your girls. Others include Double Dragon, He-man, swat-cats, teen titans, spiderman, and x-men. Most of these are aimed at boys but I clearly remember watching them with and without my brother and enjoying them immensely.
With some of the discussion re Studio Ghibli (in which Disney has an investment, by the way – Disney also markets Ghibli videos in Japan), I’m amazed that no one has brought up Indian superstar and movie producer Aamir Khan’s 2008 feature Tare Zameen Par, about the bond between a special needs child and one arts teacher determined to break through. Disney sells the home video release in North America, the UK, and Australia (with an English dub as well as the original Hindi soundtrack) as Like Stars on Earth… I recall thst Mr. Khan (whose newest movie production, Peepli [Live], opens this Friday) waxed enthusiastically about his home video deal with Disney in his blog, which was depressing to read. Long story short: I voted with my wallet and, because I have a multi-standard, region-unlocked DVD player, I chose instead to purchase the Region 5 disc released in India (by T-Series), thus bypassing Disney altogether.
May I suggest digging up any of the following:
Babar (books by Laurent de Brunhoff, series, movie)
The Little Prince (book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, series)
Ever After (a heroine who can hold her own)
The Electric Company (1970s-1980s PBS series, out on DVD)
Little Women (preferably the 1949 version, with June Allyson as Jo; the 1990s version is okaaaay, but I think Disney had something to do with it. June Allyson is a superior spitfire to Winona Ryder.)
The Sound of Music
The King and I (with Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynnner) or alternately, Anna and the King (with Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat)
If you would like any recommendations on non-Disney related books, or books that put a new spin on the princessing / strong female character aspect, feel free to ask.
I agree with this list and have a few suggestions to add as well. First, I’d like to say that I think every family owes it to themselves to sit down together and watch Avatar: The Last Airbender, which has to be one of the greatest animated shows of all time! The female leads are strong, smart and great fighters, a nice change from most princess themes. I would also like to suggest The Twelve Kingdoms, and Moribito for girls ages 14-18. Both have wonderfully strong and complex female leads and are based off of equally great novels translated into English and available in the US. Thanks for doing what you’re doing and I hope others take these suggestions to heart. They won’t be sorry. Cheers!