Diversity and The Remake

Diversity and The Remakes

The film industry has been accused of lacking diversity, with it being too white, too male, too straight, too American etcetera. Only two women have ever won the Oscar for 'best director'; they are Kathryn Biyelow and Chloe Zhao. Chloe Zhao went on to direct The Eternals.

It is certainly the case that for many years the film industry just did what it wanted - because it could. Harvey Weinstein was a director and producer that participated in negative and illegal activities; he committed sexual assault in 2020, and was called out for this by Jennifer Lawrence.

Since them, representation and diversity have become huge issues for the film industry and Disney in particular recent years. 

#Oscarssowhite was a hashtag that trended online in protest to the fact that there was a lack of diversity and representation within the Oscars, with 91% of award winners being white.

To enjoy the film industry, people need to know they are being represented in front of and behind the camera, that it is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

Shang-Chi and the remakes

Shang-Chi is part of the answer to Disney being too white, too American, too arrogant.

Disney's Remake strategy

● Reduces risk of losing profit
● To fix outdated paradigms seen in their films in years gone
● To cover the cost of failure
● Repeated narratives produced predicted success
● Shang-chi is the cookie cutter narrative
● To add diversity
● Reimagine / remix old stories

Guardian Article on Snow White

Since the Snow White remake was announced, people have had some divided opinions in it, most due to it allegedly featuring controversial things which were accepted back in 1937, but are not accepted in modern times. These controversial things include the lack of diversity, with the majority of the cast being white. What's more, at the end of the movie there is a non-consensual kiss between the prince and Snow White, which is not a good thing, as it portrays the woman as being weak, and requiring assistance from a man.