On November 23rd, 2016 Disney is releasing a new feature film Moana. Moana is described as an epic adventure across the Pacific Ocean. The two main characters are a demigod named Maui, and a young woman named Moana. What was thought to be a fun film about adventure and discovery has now turned into a question of cultural insensitivity. Maui, one of the central characters is depicted as a larger, possibly obese man, and it has created some controversy.
Maui’s weight is seen by some as a tactless depiction by Disney of the Polynesian demigod. A New Zealand politician, Jenny Salesa, stated on Facebook, “When we look at photos of Polynesian men & women from the last 100-200 years, most of our people were not overweight and this negative stereotype of Maui is just not acceptable.” Salesa also stated she was happy that Disney is celebrating the journey of a young Polynesian woman like Moana, but that “it is disappointing that Maui, one of our beloved historical ancestors from hundreds of years ago, who was a very strong man, [and] a skilled navigator, is depicted to be so overweight in this kids’ movie.” Salesa’s opinion is accompanied by many others questioning Disney’s depiction. From the Pacific Media Association, Will Ilolahia stated to Waatea News that Maui’s obesity is “typical American stereotyping.”
But, Samoan artist Michel Mulipola used his social media to voice his opinion on the matter stating that Maui’s large size does not depict a man struggling with obesity, but rather of “power and strength.” Other editorialists and online commenters have stated that Maui’s large shape is not a representation of someone overweight, but of a demigod with the large stature to fight ocean beasts, pull islands from the ocean, and even move the sun.
Notes from the author: The objective of this article is only to share the opinions of others, and it doesn’t necessarily depict my opinion of the issue.
Source: The Washington Post
Photo Credit: Disney
