Co-written by Wazidul Hoque
Mulan is one of the most famous (and feminist!) Disney films out there. The movie originally aired in 1998, and is based on the Chinese legend of Fa Mulan, a legendary woman warrior, from the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The legend says that Fa Mulan took her aged father’s place in the army. Skilled in martial arts and a great swords woman, her story is echoed through the ages. Yet, she failed to receive any recognition for her efforts in the war because she was a woman. Disney’s version of this famous legend is quite similar, adding Mushu, her family’s protector, for comical relief to the the film, after all, its targeting audience are the younglings.
The film is incredibly powerful, symbolising female oppression within the asian community, a deep-rooted problem within the film industry that poorly represents Asian females. Above all, Mulan carries the importance of representation. Prior to Mulan, Disney princesses represented Western, European, Arab, and Native American communities, lacking an Asian female lead. Mulan, however, is important for both little girls and boys.
While some wrongfully highlight the film’s sexist nature, arguing that Disney, through Mulan, claims that masculinity is defined by strength as a means of power, that analysis ignores the “overwhelmingly parodic nature” of the representation of masculinity within the realm of the film. While little boys are taught that brute force is the ultimate representation of manliness, Mulan argues for gender neutrality. As a woman, Mulan is turned into a man while none of her fellow soldiers notice her gender as she succeeds every training methods thrown at her.
Unlike most Disney princesses, Mulan does not need to be saved. In fact, she is the one that defeats Shan Yu and saves not only her romantic interest, but her entire nation. Mulan carries an important message of self-acceptance. While she did not feel comfortable with her position as a female in her family, war, for her clear femininity, being ostracized within the army, she kept true to herself. Even when she was still a man upon the eyes of the soldiers, she was seen as weaker and lady-like. However, her personal goals and aspirations kept her in check with her identity, making China and The Emperor bow before her.
This is a very significant scene in the whole animation, highlighting the eradication of “females as the weaker gender” in China. This gave women the self-confidence and empowerment, showing young girls that they could also stand up and represent their families. In a nation in which families bound not to have an abundance of children, parents automatically prefer to give birth to a male child, one that can then be the head of the family. Mulan shows a different side to that story. As the female warrior becomes the savior of not only her family but her entire nation, she proves to the little girl watching her that they have all it takes to head their own families, to protect them.
To conclude, Mulan is a film that represents great independence for women, as well as a focus and understanding between gender roles in Asian communities, becoming more accepting of women and their roles, in and out of households, and, overall, keeping that family-fun and enticing theme that we all love about Disney movies!
