The Moana Effect: ‘At last, it’s us’
Forget Frozen. There’s a fierce new Disney princess in town who’s stealing the hearts of young Kiwi girls and their families.
The star of Moana is a tanned, dark-haired, slightly cheeky Polynesian who resonates with young Pacific and Maori girls because she looks just like them.
But not only does Moana have a familiar Island appearance, the film’s portrayal of the Pacific culture and its legends made this particular Disney movie original and influential.
There’s no quest for love or a princess waiting on a prince.
Moana is different. She’s strongminded and adventurous. She makes herself her own leader and the only love she has is for her people and her culture.
Since the film’s New Zealand release on Boxing Day, the Moana Effect has swept the nation.
Sure, the songs are catchy but the heroine has the more lasting effect.
Auckland 7-year-old Tzipora Thomas has been to see it four times, her mum Brooke Stanly said.
The Niuean-Samoan youngster was not only taken with Moana, but the portrayal of her heritage and the sight of familiar cultural values on screen.
Stanley said her daughter gained
[The movie] showcases aspects of our culture . . . some parts are a little bit cringe but it’s speaking to our babies and they love it.
a feeling of empowerment.
‘‘It resonates with young brown girls because Moana is also a young brown girl and they see themselves in her.
‘‘[Moana] not only looks like them but she comes from a similar background and for young girls – our babies – I think they’re connecting with that. Even I’m connecting with that. We grew up on Disney thinking, ‘Why can’t the character be a brown girl’?
‘‘Our babies see themselves in it and feel empowered or inspired by it. [The movie] showcases aspects of our culture . . . some parts are a little bit cringe but it’s speaking to our babies and they love it.’’
The Moana Effect reached 5-year-old Tasha Waka in Hamilton.
Mum Lissie Carruthers said her part-Maori daughter saw a reflection of herself in the Pacific princess.
The connection extended to Tasha’s Maori father; dark-skinned, beefy with tattoos, a striking resemblance to the strong Maui character in Moana.
‘‘She really likes that there is a princess that looks similar [to her] as a lot of other Disney princesses are total opposite of her, so now she has her very own,’’ Carruthers said.
‘‘I think it’s awesome there is finally a movie that is close to home for the kids of New Zealand . . . I really enjoyed the movie and loved that it wasn’t centred around finding your love [and] it has a cool, traditional storyline behind it.
‘‘The movie will definitely be empowering. They no longer feel left out as such and can relate to Moana and the movie through culture, looks, where they came from.’’
The Moana Effect has influenced the very young.
Auckland mum Anele Siaopo said her 2-year-old daughter recognised Moana’s looks and even the familiar cultural values.
‘‘Even for me to have that experience with my daughter, a connection back and seeing our culture is a sense of pride. It was really passionate and uplifting for us and her. It was really cool to have that experience with my family.’’
Temuera Morrison (who voices Chief Tui) encountered the Moana Effect at a screening in Fiji when a young girl told him, ‘‘At last, it’s us’’.
BROOKE BATH Brooke Stanley