We know how much Disney has meant to us on the homefront (for those who live in America). I mean, we have two VERY successful theme parks (Disneyland/Disneyworld), all the animated canon of Disney films we love/hate and the memories that have lasted us a lifetime. But how do others in the world feel or know about Disney?
Here's an interesting piece of info. I just barely found this out yesterday, did you know that in China, Disney characters of all kinds were banned for 40 years?! Why? Because Mao took power and forbid them. I was shocked, it wasn't until just a few years ago that the Chinese people barely discovered Donald Duck or just seen Mulan. Disney is opening up Disneyland Hong Kong this fall, to anticipation and uncertainness. Time Magazine ran an article on this, and it was in fact Iger who wanted to take the international move into a place like China, where it was said that the former CEO Eisner feared to tread, he was more concerned with promoting Disney on the homefront. Iger said this will have risks, but he said to choose a place like China to expand the Disney name would be 'revolutinary' in the company's vision. Similarly, since China has been plagued with communism and just recently, very harsh piracy going on, and because of this, legitimate Disney DVD's cost twice as much as a pirated version. However, in the 1,100 Disney stores all around China, children have been gobbling up the merchandise, thanks in part to the newfound love for Disney there. Here's to hoping Disneyland Hong Kong opens doors.
Now, for the next topic, a country that seems to cherish Disney quite a bit, Brazil. Brazil has always seemed to embrace the legacy of Disney characters for years, beginning from films like The Three Caballeros to the numerous Disney comics out, promoting a lot of the classic characters, as well as characters that fell out of the international spotlight years ago...most notably of these characters is the charming Jose Carioca, or Ze as he's known in Brazil. While America seems to have forgotten him, in Brazil, he's still as superstar as Mickey and the rest of his fellow Disney clan. With the introduction of characters in his now monthly-run Ze Carioca comic series such as Nestor, Alfonsinho and etc, Disney Brazil has introduced even more charming characters to the pantheon of Disney greats, despite the fact they wouldn't be as widely embraced as the Beast or Ariel. Brazilians seem to love Disney as much as we do. The only thing I don't know if I'm fond of is the fact that, if you own any of Disney's Ze Carioca comics, that for the past decade or so, Disney artists in Brazil gave Jose a brand new look (think along the lines a what a typical 'Carioca wears). He's got sneakers, a backwards hat, and a yellow T-shirt with the letter Z on it as well as he wears pants now. Gone is the classic design where he wears a pressed suit and tie, and carries an umbrella. Also his personality differs from the Jose that we know here in America (the fun-loving friendly type). In the Brazilian comics he's seen as a malandro (trickster) of types, who is poor but very into himself, and loves a quick buck. He's nothing like the parrot we were introduced to in Saludos Amigos. Jose Carioca will always be one of my favorite Disney characters though.
And now moving on to the next rambling. Those of us who grew up watching the Disney Afternoon (Darkwing Duck, Talespin, Goof Troop, Bonkers etc) are familiar with all the characters from the shows. But, my question is, were they also broadcast around the world as well? I know in United Kingdom, the Disney Afternoon seemed to be just as popular. But would people in like Italy or Finland know who Launchpad or Darkwing Duck are? I've always wondered this.
Next posting, Japan. The Japanese love Disney it seems. Even the great Hayao Miyazaki seems to think so, as he choose Disney to distribute his own films from his Studio Ghibli (or was it the other way around?) Tokyo Disney has turned into one of the HUGEST money-makers in Japan, as Japanese visitors there flock there every year (Time Magazine said that a whooping 25 MILLION visited Tokyo Disney last year alone). Japanese audiences still embrace Disney movies with full force, as in cases like Brother Bear and Pirates of the Caribbean, which were apparently huge in Japan.
But, on the downside to this part of the internationalism, there's only one thing that comes to mind, Euro Disney. Unlike Tokyo Disney, this one's been a financial sinkhole. Why you ask? Well, according to the recent issue of Time Magazine, Disney didn't accept the cultural boundries that woud've otherwise benefited the park. For example, the restaurants didn't want to serve wine....and apparently that's an insult in France. However, hopes for the park might get a little better, as there has been an interest to renovated and expand this place, and to make things better for it's French (as well as other European) vistors.
Well, for now, that's all I can think of to discuss. Please, I implore you to please share your thoughts and opinions on these and other topics pertaining to Disney around the world. If you're from somewhere outside the US, how's the Disney scene there?
Please share. Thanks.
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