Encanto Film Analysis

Abstract

Walt Disney Animation Studios is the animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved Disney films ever made and continues to expand with the production and release of more films exploring and prioritizing diversity, including their promise to "honor heritage through animated films".  Encanto is a popular animated children's movie released in 2021 by Walt Disney Animation Studios surronding a family with magical powers that live in rural Colombian. This movie promises to deliver diversity and accurately portray not only the setting but the people of Colombia, visually, emotionally and intellectually. However, media has been misaccurately representing Hispanic people, specifically women for decades, including Disney films. This paper explores how each woman in the film is represented in relevance to traditional women values embeded in Colombian culture, and how their emotional process throughout the film either enforces stereotypes already created and portrayed in American media, or establishes relevancy and validity once compared to real Colombian values.