D82 wrote:^

I also hope we get some male-led films after
Encanto. But we've had several films in a row with male protagonists in the past, so personally, I don't mind getting the opposite now, as long as the films are different enough from each other.
I think it's not so much that I mind personally, but more that I'm concerned that WDAS is increasingly perceived as making girly films and Pixar boy's films. I do not actually believe that at their core either studio is particularly inclined towards any of those trends - it's probably coincidence more than anything else. But I do get annoyed that for many people, WDAS
= princess films. I love the princess musicals myself, but WDAS has made so many other types of films, yet most don't seem to remember that diversity in the canon.
Lately I've also been wondering whether the string of female-led films from WDAS is a result of pressure to increase female representation in their movies. If so, I'm sure it's well-intentioned, but they need to balance things out as it will get tiring in the long run, and it will feel artificial - negating any positive effects it is intended to have. This is the same argument I would use for all of Hollywood's "woke" decisions lately. Continuously casting black actors or others of racial minorities in traditionally white roles, or gender-swapping characters is futile if the decision is fueled solely for keeping up appearances of onscreen diversity, having people clap and praising you for your actions, potentially avoiding boycotts, etc. It feels entirely artificial and insincere, and motivated only by the need to project an image of sanctity and righteousness.
Conversely, when messages of diversity or female empowerment are integrated organically into a movie, they work as intended. I think I can think of no better example than
Zootopia. I think that movie could have easily turned out to be politically correct crap, with a message that, while true, is obviously included so that the film-makers and the studio can receive pats on the back for their progressiveness. But not
Zootopia. It is a message movie in which the message is communicated with such sincerity that you can never mistake it for studio bs. I have absolutely no doubt that both Jared Bush and Phil Johnston mean every word in the film's script, and that it was not dictated from above, but came from their hearts. You can just sense the passion in the film! I think even if you somehow disagree with the film's message (can you?

) you should be able to recognise that it's genuine.
Ftr, I am aware the black community has taken issue with the allegory in
Zootopia, and I understand their reasoning, but I do not believe this was an intentional decision by the film-makers to undermine their own message! It's probably more of an oversight, and I personally think the allegory still works just fine even if it is not completely analogous to the real-life situation with black people and other minority groups in the US.
This is really the wrong thread for this discussion!
