Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) is an authentic and fierce heroine whose life is traced over the course of Disney’s newest animated film, Encanto. The story tells a tale of a magical family who all received sundry powerful special abilities after having endured years of political unrest. Mirabel is the only one in her family without a talent and is therefore tasked with preserving her family's dwindling powers and mending broken relationships. The film’s repetitive use of motifs and frequent depictions of magical realism — a literary genre made popular by Colombian writer Gabriel García Marquez — further distinguishes Encanto from previous Disney films.
At its core, magical realism is all about contradictions: it's neither pure realism nor pure fiction, where mermaids serenade you as they jump from the sea or fire-breathing dragons dance around performing spells. And, you might be thinking to yourself, not all of Disney's past films just feature mystical creatures such as mermaids and dragons; they also are tales about humans. Although this may be true, Encanto is set in the real-life country of Colombia, which sets it apart from most other Disney films. That may be true, but Encanto is set in the real-life country of Colombia, which sets it apart from most other Disney films. Although it is never specified where in the country the story takes place, Encanto's cultural portrayal of the land, from the city's colorful architecture to the Madrigals' patterned needlework and fondness for espresso and arepas, is the film's most honorable achievement.
The representation in the film also spoke to just how diverse the movie and it’s creators were. Encanto has it all: it portrays characters with an array of distinct skin complexions and exhibits many different physique types and personalities. Encanto also does a fantastic job
of delivering a Latino family that truly depicts that lived experience. The Familia Madrigal is made up of Latinos of diverse hair textures and all different skin colors, which correctly reflects what a modern extended family may look like today. Wilmer Valderrama, one of the
actors of the movie, believes the film raises the bar for cultural and ethnic representation, and hopes that other cultures around the world will inspire similar art.
While many of Disney's recent animated films have shied away from musical numbers, Encanto demonstrates why the franchise’s most successful movies are those with sing-along tunes. Lin-Manuel Miranda composed all the movie’s music and paid careful attention to integrate Colombian music genres such as vallenato, salsa, guaracha, cumbia, and merengue. The instrumental version of each of the songs are each beautiful enough to give viewers chills. Whether you speak Spanish or not, Sebastián Yatra's "Dos Oruguitas" will bring tears to your eyes, and Carlos Vives' "Colombia, Mi Encanto" will make you bust a move.The music was written to give homage to the Latin sound, and each song successfully provides a little something special to each of its viewers.
The large corporation is ow, more than ever, moving past the traditional Disney Princess formula – a defiant girl, living without a parent figure, who embarks on a quest to save her country with a quirky sidekick. Encanto, on the other hand, creates something new from the ground up. The narrative isn't dominated by a villain and there are no polarized sides (inherently good vs. evil). Instead, despite its magical roots, the story is based in life’s difficulties. Encanto's central theme is the dualism of family. It shows both the unconditional love that it brings, as well as the constant strain, pressure, and possible despair that it can provide.
Encanto holistically encapsulates the complex relationship between younger and older generations in Hispanic households. Abuela Alma, the matriarch, suffered a great deal of stress at a very young age, and her traumatic experiences shaped how she raised her children and interacts with her grandchildren. The challenges of sticking it out with family, potentially living in shame and fear of being one’s true self are experiences that ring true for many first-generation Latinos.
The impact of a project like Black Panther
demonstrated to Hollywood as a whole that young
people want to see themselves reflected in their media, and companies such as Marvel, Disney, and even Nickelodeon have since made a far more deliberate attempt to bring representation front-and-center. Being Disney's first film with an all Latin cast, Encanto has accomplished this while also demonstrating that Disney is still capable of magic.
Features images from Disney's Encanto
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