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Disney Faces Backlash as ‘Moana 2’ Highlights Language Controversy

Moana 2’s Financial Success

Disney’s Moana 2 has seen remarkable success at the box office, recently surpassing the billion-dollar mark. This milestone establishes it as one of Disney’s biggest hits of the year, joining other successful releases like Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2.

A group of colorful animated characters with vibrant expressions stand together. The characters appear surprised or concerned, each with distinct colors and features, set against a colorful backdrop with abstract shapes.
Credit: Pixar

The significance of these billion-dollar films is profound, as they not only bolster Disney’s financial standing but also impact its future film strategy. With industry challenges looming, Disney CEO Bob Iger’s decision to limit releases to just four films in 2024 seems to be a strategic move to ensure each film can achieve substantial commercial success.

The success of Moana 2 is particularly notable as it contributes to Disney’s record of having 32 films reach the billion-dollar threshold. The combination of audience interest in sequels and the strong marketing strategies employed has positioned Moana 2 as a significant player in Disney’s lineup despite the underlying controversies surrounding the film in different regions.

Moana and Simea in Moana 2
Credit: Disney

Translation Efforts in New Zealand

Disney has engaged with local distributors to facilitate the translation of Moana 2 into te reo Māori, the native language of the Indigenous Polynesian people in New Zealand. This move signifies a commitment to honoring Indigenous culture and providing a voice for the Māori community through cinema.

Disney’s previous efforts to translate films like Encanto and Coco have received positive reception, indicating a successful trend that Disney aims to continue with Moana 2.

Maui, Pua, and Hei Hei in Moana 2
Credit: Disney

Promoting te reo Māori goes beyond mere translation; it represents a chance to celebrate a unique cultural identity and encourage its use among younger generations. Given that Moana explores themes central to Polynesian mythology and heritage, the translation of Moana 2 has the potential to resonate deeply with New Zealand’s Indigenous population.

Governmental Actions Against te reo Māori

Despite Disney’s initiatives, recent governmental actions in New Zealand have raised concerns regarding Indigenous language rights and cultural representation. A newly elected conservative government has imposed restrictions on using te reo Māori in official government documents and cut funding for educational programs promoting the language. Many view these actions as detrimental to the preservation of Māori culture and language.

Funding cuts have also affected the Te Reo Māori television station, limiting the reach and educational opportunities necessary for revitalizing the language. The community has reacted with frustration, perceiving these measures as a step backward in efforts to promote Indigenous culture and language rights. The public discourse surrounding these policies has intensified, resulting in widespread criticism of the government’s approach to Māori language promotion.

Cultural Impact of Moana 2

The release of Moana 2 has spurred significant community engagement, especially with its translation into te reo Māori. This involvement includes organized events where schools schedule field trips to view the film, showcasing a collective enthusiasm for Indigenous representation in popular media. The translations turn significant releases into cultural events, allowing the community to gather and celebrate their heritage.

The role of voice actors in local contexts further highlights the cultural importance of this project. When translating films into Indigenous languages, local voice actors become crucial figures in representing cultural narratives authentically. Many of these actors gain notoriety by associating with the projects, adding a layer of regional pride as they participate in red-carpet events and premieres.

Moana 2
Credit: Disney

Despite facing backlash regarding governmental actions, Moana 2 is a crucial platform for promoting te reo Māori and connecting the Indigenous community to their cultural roots. Disney’s efforts in facilitating this translation amplify the voices of Māori individuals and contribute to the broader discourse on language preservation and representation in contemporary media.

As Moana 2 continues to capture audiences worldwide, the intertwined themes of financial success, cultural representation, and language revitalization remain at the forefront of conversations surrounding the film, emphasizing the complexities inherent in modern storytelling and cultural engagement.

Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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