The Aladdin Lamp: A Controversial Remake in 1940

In 2019, Disney released a live-action remake of its beloved animated film, Aladdin. The movie earned $604.9 million worldwide in just over two weeks, with $232.4 million domestic and $372.5 million international. However, the film's popularity was met with controversy due to its depiction of cultural nuances and the association of Arabs with negative traits.

The original 1992 animated film had already faced criticism for its use of ethnic stereotypes, particularly in regards to Arab characters. Iconic film critic Roger Ebert wrote in his review that the film's 'odd use of ethnic stereotypes' was a distraction. The movie also featured exaggerated facial characteristics for most Arab characters, while Aladdin and Princess Jasmine looked like white American teenagers.

The 2019 remake faced similar criticism, with many arguing that the all-white cast was insensitive and xenophobic. The film's association of Arabs with violence, greed, and other negative traits only added to the controversy. Moreover, the song lyrics describing the setting in the film were criticized for their inaccurate portrayal of Arab culture.

The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee even complained about the song lyrics, leading to alternate lyrics being dubbed into the video and soundtrack releases. Despite these criticisms, the film remains a commercial success, surpassing its original at the box office within a month of its release.

The story of Aladdin has been around for centuries, originating from an 18th-century Arabic-language collection called A Thousand and One Nights. The folktale tells the story of a street-urchin who accepts the services of a trickster genie to win over the Sultan's daughter, Jasmine. While the film may have overcome some of its controversy, it is clear that the cultural nuances of the original story were not accurately depicted in both the 1992 and 2019 remakes.

In conclusion, the Aladdin lamp has been a source of controversy for decades, with both remakes facing criticism for their depiction of Arab characters. Despite this, the film remains a beloved classic, and its themes of adventure, intrigue, and romance continue to captivate audiences around the world.

Aladin lamp 1940