Reinterpreted as an Independent Character Born Amid a Blizzard
What Matters More Than the Latina Princess Controversy or Skin Color
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
The queen who obsessed over beauty, staring only at the mirror, and the princess who longed for true love and awaited a kiss have now vanished into the times. In their place, a princess with strong and independent skin is reborn beyond the fairy tale, newly appearing on the screen.
Snow White (Rachel Zegler) is born on a winter night when a blizzard rages. She grows up loved by the king and queen in a warm kingdom, but after the queen dies, the king welcomes a new queen (Gal Gadot). The new queen uses the power of darkness to seize the kingdom and forces Snow White to do menial chores. Whenever she struggles, Snow White recalls her father's advice and silently vows to be 'bold, fair, brave, and true.'
The kingdom taken over by the queen loses its warmth and freezes over. The queen exploits the people, hoarding food and jewels for herself. One day, the magic mirror declares that Snow White is the most beautiful in the world, and upon hearing this, the queen is consumed by jealousy and orders her subordinate to eliminate the princess. However, the subordinate cannot bring himself to harm Snow White and tells her to flee into the forest. Barely surviving in the forest, Snow White meets seven miners.
Snow White lives with the seven miners in a cabin in the woods, meets Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), the leader of a band of thieves, and becomes friends with him, discovering her hidden courage and good power. The princess finally resolves to reclaim the kingdom stolen by the queen.
Snow White, which began as a Brothers Grimm fairy tale in 1812, was made into a full-color animation titled "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937. The live-action Snow White released nearly 100 years later reflects the image of women and leaders desired by the times. In the original, the queen, Snow White’s biological mother, wanted a child with 'skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony,' hence the name 'Snow White.' However, in the live-action film, Snow White is born on a day when a snowstorm rages, and that is the reason for her name.
Snow White embraces people with kindness and love, understands each person's wounds, and embraces everyone in a way that harms no one. The film conveys that true beauty comes from within. It also embodies the kind of leader we want in an era rife with capitalism and selfishness. Snow White points out that the queen, who maintains power by monopolizing it and exploiting the people, is unfair. Instead of ruling by brandishing a sword or instilling fear, Snow White shows the true image of a leader who embraces everyone with love.
The film’s soundtrack (OST) adds a sweet and rich atmosphere. The theme song "Waiting On A Wish" unfolds magnificently, captivating the audience’s eyes and ears. The animal friends created with special effects (CG) are a highlight of the film, helping Snow White in the forest and bringing smiles to the audience. The seven miners (seven dwarfs), recreated with CG, also appear naturally.
Some have criticized Snow White’s skin color as different from the original, calling her 'Black Snow White' and expressing concerns, but the princess’s tanned skin does not provoke strong opposition. It fits well with the image of a healthy and independent princess.
Snow White is regarded as a 'woke' film, and opinions vary. Adapting past settings to fit the times and reflecting current demands is an important process. However, it remains to be seen how this film will be received by the public.
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