"Elio": Five ways Disney-Pixar's film mirrors Trump's America remarkably
In June, the animated film "Elio" hit theatres, marking a significant addition to the Disney Pixar catalogue. However, the film, directed by Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, and Madeline Sharafian, did not perform as expected at the box office, becoming the worst-performing Disney Pixar title to date, earning a total of $72 million worldwide.
Despite its financial performance, "Elio" is considered a small masterpiece, drawing inspiration from great American science fiction. The film's soundtrack bears a resemblance to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," while the quarantine scene echoes "E.T." and references are made to the "Star Wars" saga.
"Elio" is classified as political cinema, and it serves as a poignant allegory for Trump's America and the complexity of the current cultural landscape. The story centres on Elio, a young boy coping with grief and trying to find his place in the world, reflecting the broader societal search for identity amidst confusion and division in contemporary America.
The film also tackles themes of censorship and creative conflict around LGBTQ+ representation. The original director, a queer activist, was removed, and many queer-coded scenes were cut after test screenings due to backlash and pressure, illustrating societal tensions and censorship reflecting conservative pushback seen in Trump's America.
"Elio" also symbolises alienation and misunderstanding, with Elio’s character as an Earth child mistaken by aliens for a leader, highlighting themes of miscommunication, marginalization, and the feeling of being out-of-place, paralleling the fragmented societal and political discourse in recent years.
The film initially included Latinx and queer elements that were edited to appeal to a broader, perhaps more conservative audience, mirroring political and cultural struggles over diversity and inclusion in contemporary U.S. society under Trump’s influence.
Moreover, the narrative’s mix of humor, emotional storytelling, and space adventure juxtaposed with the behind-the-scenes turmoil around its message reflects the broader confusion and cultural clashes emblematic of the post-Trump era’s America—marked by polarized values and debates over what narratives children’s media should promote.
Despite its box office performance, "Elio" emphasizes universal values such as brotherhood among peoples and family as a source of affection, making it a profound reflection of the contemporary world. It's a magnificent tale that mirrors the struggles and complexities of today's America, offering a thought-provoking commentary on identity, censorship, and the struggle over societal values.
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