Why Disney’s Mulan is So Powerful, and Why Many Feel Pressured to Dislike It
This film has a lot of pressure and controversy. Is it warranted?
Historical Significance of Mulan — Regardless of Disney
This article explores the social and historical background surrounding the film rather than the film itself. A separate review on the actual Disney plus rendition will be linked.
The story of Mulan has a momentous significance to many who identify as Asian across the entire global diaspora. The legend of Hua Mulan is almost 1500 years old (500AD!), and is a powerful story of how a young woman risks her life in order to save her father’s. In the course of her journey, she ultimately becomes a young woman who also saves her emperor and her country — in a system that subverts her very existence and identity. She suffers through the internal agony of hiding her identity, the physical pain of concealing her gender, the physical demands of performing with and against men much stronger than her, the embarrassment of living undercover, and the risk of facing shame, exile, and execution because of her very existence. This is the ultimate story of personal sacrifice, female empowerment, personal integrity, internal fortitude, duty to family, service to country, and personal identity. The story of Mulan has guided and inspired women and men around the world for more than a millennia.
This story has so much cultural and social significance. It evokes strong feelings and emotions in myself and many others.
If the story of Mulan itself is so powerful, why is there so much controversy over the Disney movie’s very existence and so much hesitation over whether to watch the film? I’m not the first to list these out, but here are some of the reasons (excuses) people have for boycotting or disliking the film.
Reasons / Excuses People Have for Hating on Mulan
1. Liu Yifei’s Stance on Hong Kong politics [the #boycottmulan movement]
The protests / riots in Hong Kong have been ongoing since June 2019.
Lead actress Liu Yifei, who is both Chinese and also a naturalized US Citizen, reposted a Weibo post supporting the Hong Kong police in the protests. It read (in Chinese): “I also support Hong Kong police. You can beat me up now.” — with added comment “What a shame for Hong Kong.” Many who support the Hong Kong protests are upset about the actress’s stance. Others have come to her defense saying that it’s not a big deal. I would guess that the majority of people are unaware of what the Hong Kong protests are, and are therefore unsure about whether to join this boycott movement or not. People don’t want to be on the wrong side of a social cause, especially if it’s a moral one.
2. Disney’s $30 Viewing Fee [It’s too expensive]
The film was scheduled to be released in theatres March 27, 2020, but was delayed 3 times and eventually canceled due to Covid-19. People have been complaining about the high streaming cost of $29.99 on Disney Plus in addition to the monthly $6.99 subscription. I can see how the cost may seem like too high to some — especially if they don’t feel such an emotional connection towards the story. With covid-19, the economy has been uncertain, and many lack the financial resources to indulge in entertainment. For those whom entertainment is harder to afford or for those who don’t see the film as a priority, the film will be available at the regular Disney+ subscription in December. For those who can afford entertainment — going to a movie theatre would’ve cost that much money for 1–2 people anyways. In this situation, viewers can still watch the movie. Although the movie-going experience isn’t possible, viewers get to watch Mulan at home with friends and family, not to mention unlimited times at no additional cost. It’s a matter of priority and interest that Disney is taking a bet on.
3. The story is not original [It’s been done before]
The folklore and legend of Hua Mulan is literally one of the THE original stories. It took place shortly after Jesus’s life himself. This story literally “came out” before any story that anyone living has ever seen or heard of. This story was so original that it existed before anyone’s great (x60) grandma was even born. So to anyone who uses this excuse — honestly, please stop.
4. Anti-Asian sentiment [Unspoken]
There had been a lot of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States since the Covid-19 pandemic began. US President Trump had slandered China and Chinese people by calling covid-19 “the Chinese virus”. Even if something is not a fair portrayal, if spoken enough times by someone in power, the insidious falsehood can take hold in even the most well-meaning citizens. This is how bullying works.
5. It’s Another Disney Remake [Disney is Being Boring]
Many people don’t like the fact that Disney is remaking the old animated classics. Some think it’s unoriginal of Disney to just rehash the same stories, and feel like Disney is not taking risks with producing new content. Others feel that the new films don’t do the old ones justice. For Mulan — people ask, where are the classic songs? Where’s Mushu? Why did they change the romantic dynamic? We like the old one more! Then there are others like myself who are thrilled to have a live-action remake of a classic Disney film with real-live representation from Asian and Asian American actors. I felt like this film brought to life a new role model and legend for me to identify with.
Now if so many people are listing out all these very rational points of why Disney’s Mulan should be boycotted or why they don’t like it, should you like the film? What if you actually did like the story or identified with it on a deep level?
Repercussion of Not Supporting the Film
Disney and film studios will think Asian leads can’t succeed.
Film executives, directors, producers, and casting agents will keep casting white people as leading roles in all stories, including Asian stories. I.e. studios will have an easy excuse to keep white-washing stories. Studios and executives are already tepid about casting people of color in films, especially in leading roles. If this film doesn’t succeed financially, film executives will have an easy excuse to say “See I told you - we should’ve cast Scarlett Johansson for this role”. Even if the film does succeed, they may still be inclined to say — due to their bias — “You know, if we had cast a white woman, the movie would’ve made even more money”. This is of course ridiculous based on principle, considering Mulan is a legend from Ancient China. If executives were to place any sort of blame on race (off record of course), it wouldn’t be attributed to the fact that a white director, producers and filmmakers are in control of an Asian story.
Please just go watch the movie. You can decide for yourself. See relevant review on the actual Disney movie itself (link soon).
