Keira Knightley has recently stated that she’s banned her daughter, Edie aged 3, from watching the classic, old Disney films. Films like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’, the reason being, they go against her feminist beliefs.
Keira Knightly appeared on The Ellen Show to promote the launch of her new Disney film, ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ but said she doesn’t like the classic movies by Disney.
“Cinderella. Banned. Because y’know she waits around for a rich guy to rescue her,” she said. “Don’t. Rescue yourself, obviously.
“And this is the one that I’m quite annoyed about because I really like the film, but Little Mermaid [is banned, too]. I mean, the songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man. Hello!”
We asked dads what their thoughts on this were and it appears to be divided on whether the films promote outdated and potentially dangerous stereotypes or are just harmless fun.
It’s true there’s no aspiration except to get rescued and marry your way out of your situation. Princess and the frog, moana etc offer much better role models. I wouldn’t ban them outright but find my daughter loves films with stronger female characters as well as the classics.
While older films – not just Disney – probably DO portray less than feminist storylines, that doesn’t – or shouldn’t – detract from the fact that they are GOOD stories. Times have changed, attitudes have changed…but good stories don’t and never will. Keira Knightly and others of her ilk should lighten up. Because, after all, Cinderella’s message is NOT “wait for a rich man to rescue you”, it’s “good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people”. Which is the real tragedy, because we all know that’s not true at all…
‘Rescue yourself’? Isn’t this the very nonsense we’re trying to get away from in many areas of society, such as mental health? Everyone needs help sometimes, regardless of gender. Those films are also filled with acts of love, kindness and messages about accepting others, being loyal etc. I could go on.
If Cinderella didn’t choose to make her dress, and have the tenacity to get to the ball, with the help of the fairy godmother (who IMO did more rescuing than the Prince anyway) the Prince wouldn’t have even known about her.
I wish these people would just piss off. Stop making all their stupid ideas in their personal lives public. These are innocent classic stories with no hidden agendas
Cinderella is a story of a girl who wanted to party.
A bloke found her shoe and wanted to stalk her.
The little mermaid is a little out there I admirt, giving up a voice for legs. But isn’t that how it can feel falling in love, you loose what to say, don’t know how to feel. Feel like a fish out of water.
Why spin it to be a feminist angle?
They are old films. It’s a mostly outdated way of thinking.
Plus I feel it’s short sighted on the feminests part, why be equal to men, if we are so rottern, why not be better? Why not teach better? Why not help men be better? Then the whole world is a better place? So easy to bash and hate on things, so easy to say that is wrong your wrong the world is wrong.
Fine.
Make it better.
Help the world.
Help the future.
Teach.
If your educated your less likely to be ignorant to all, make or female or anything in between?
Why does it always have to be a battle?
Why can’t we all help each other to be better?
That’s for sure what I teach my two children. Help each other out, no matter how big or how small something is something. Doesn’t matter who does it as long as it’s done. We are a family for now and forever, we help each other no matter what for we are forever.
Teach that and they will grow to be amazing.
Enough trouble in the world worry gutting over old films and which sex has it the hardest, cut it out. One world. One life. Work together for the better.
No one gets out alive anyway.
No harm in equal rights.
Which naturally includes equal pay.
I just wonder about equal bill paying..
Kiera needs to get a grip. They’re based on Fairy Tales. She bans her kids from watching Disney films but acts in them? A bit hypocritical…