Walt Disney Animation Studios
Disney’s early animated films often present a unique family picture – a vast majority of characters are orphans, both human and animal. This trend, while a subject of humor today, has a logical explanation. Many of these films are adaptations of fairy tales or classic literature, which often feature orphans as protagonists. This narrative choice allows young characters to embark on adventures without the need for a subplot about concerned parents and helps the audience quickly empathize with them. The absence of parental supervision and the presence of danger make us eagerly anticipate the character’s victory over the challenges they face. And if parents are present, the writers must justify their inability to resolve their child’s problems.
In recent times, Disney has shifted its focus to explore how family relationships can be sources of conflict. “Encanto” deals with a family burdened by generational trauma, “Strange World” features a family forced to overcome their differences to save their society, and “Wish” tells the story of a character radicalized by the magical political corruption affecting her grandfather. Disney’s decision to include nuclear families began with “Moana” and is further explored in “Moana 2”. As Moana, the lead character, embarks on another adventure to secure her people’s future on Motunui, her understanding of what is at stake if she fails is better, creating a torn feeling. While she is concerned about her parents, her younger sister Simea, who brings a fresh family dynamic to Walt Disney Animation, worries her more.
Simea was inspired by one of the Moana 2 director’s children
Walt Disney Animation Studios
In “Moana 2”, Moana is nearly 20 years old while Simea is about three. Despite the significant age difference, such sibling relationships are more common than people think. In fact, Simea and Moana’s relationship is modeled after the children of co-director David Derrick Jr., who also have a significant age gap. Derrick Jr. shared during a press day for “Moana 2” how his youngest child’s dynamics changed after spending a lot of time with the eldest over a summer break.
He explained, “There was a heartbreaking moment when [his young son] realized [his eldest daughter] was going to college and not coming back home. This pillar of happiness in his life was suddenly not always going to be there.” Explaining such a concept to a small child who struggles with understanding time’s length (Simea refers to three days as “forever”) and abstract concepts like destiny and obligation is challenging.
The relationship between Moana and Simea forms one of the sequel’s strongest aspects, compelling Moana to see the world from a different perspective, and Simea’s undeniable cuteness! The first “Moana” featured a young Moana, around Simea’s age, in an early scene that fans adored, leading to Disney creating Young Moana dolls, which quickly became a popular toy. Simea takes cuteness a notch higher with her vibrant personality, shaped by her admiration for her sister. Having been an only child for most of her life, Moana is accustomed to independence and self-entertainment. In contrast, Simea has always had her big sister around. Her emotions are vast and relatable, making her one of Disney’s most adorable characters. We hope to see Simea embark on an adventure in “Moana 3”, if it happens.
“Moana 2” is currently showing in theaters worldwide.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
