When Hollywood adapts a true story, it's always something interesting to look out for.
In development at Disney right now is the story of the Princess of North Sudan. A man's little girl wanted to be a princess and instead of showing her "A Little Princess" to show her that all little girls are princesses, he traveled to Africa and claimed a piece of land to make her a princess. He found a stretch of desert unclaimed by Egypt and Sudan and dubbed it the Kingdom of North Sudan.
Though it's indeed touching that this father wanted to do something special for his daughter, going to a country and claiming land for himself isn't the way to go about it. It might've been one thing to actually buy a deserted island, but to claim a place as yours is basically stealing. Plus, he appropriated the name "Sudan," which further complicates matters. It's not as if the Sudanese people had a say in the naming the the country.
As disconcerting as it is that someone would go to another country to claim land that isn't theirs, something almost more sinister is happening: Disney is developing a film based on the story.
Um ... no. Just no. There's many historical reasons this is a bad idea. Everything from imperialism to colonialism to all the other "isms" that degrade others and stomp all over their rights. Though I'm sure this man doesn't want to take anyone's rights away, there is no reason for him to claim land that can be used by those who are actually from Africa. Though the man insists that it's not an act of war but an act of love, there's no mistaking that it's incredibly brash to simply claim land and expect everyone else to go along with it.
But beyond the historical reasons, there's the here and now. The fact that Disney, which is trying to change its reputation for its lack of diversity in its products, would think that this is a good idea is beyond me. The historical things I mentioned are in the past. Disney should be moving forward and moving forward does not mean adapting a story about modern-day imperialism.
However cute it is that the little girl is a princess now, the fact is that her father stole that crown for her. And if Disney makes "The Princess of North Sudan," it will steal a little piece of the autonomy of people who live in Africa.
Um ... no. Just no. There's many historical reasons this is a bad idea. Everything from imperialism to colonialism to all the other "isms" that degrade others and stomp all over their rights. Though I'm sure this man doesn't want to take anyone's rights away, there is no reason for him to claim land that can be used by those who are actually from Africa. Though the man insists that it's not an act of war but an act of love, there's no mistaking that it's incredibly brash to simply claim land and expect everyone else to go along with it.
But beyond the historical reasons, there's the here and now. The fact that Disney, which is trying to change its reputation for its lack of diversity in its products, would think that this is a good idea is beyond me. The historical things I mentioned are in the past. Disney should be moving forward and moving forward does not mean adapting a story about modern-day imperialism.
However cute it is that the little girl is a princess now, the fact is that her father stole that crown for her. And if Disney makes "The Princess of North Sudan," it will steal a little piece of the autonomy of people who live in Africa.
