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Disney Director Reveals 'Unbreakable' Rules: "This Is Always Off-Limits"
While Disney warns about problematic content in older films, brutal violence scenes or even a simple cigarette are absolutely off-limits in their productions.
Disney has long been known for its strict control over what can and cannot appear in its family films, but director David Lowery recently revealed something notable. According to him, there are three rules every filmmaker must adhere to under 'The House of Mouse'.
Although the studio now places warnings on older films due to racist or sexist stereotypes, these do not represent the boundaries that Disney themselves impose. Lowery, who directed [i]Pete's Dragon[/i] for the iconic studio, encountered a remarkable contract when he joined.
The director states: "When you sign with Disney, your contract lists three things that cannot appear in your film: no decapitations, no heads on stakes, and no smoking. This is absolutely not allowed".
It is understandable that violent scenes like decapitations or someone being impaled are prohibited. However, the third prohibition regarding smoking is quite striking, especially since it appears in many classics. Lowery also struggles with this restriction.
The filmmaker continues: "I can still vividly remember the scene where Pinocchio smokes and turns bright red. This was, and still is, in my eyes, a scene that seems innocent, but that is no longer allowed".
The iconic smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland is also something that today would be absolutely unthinkable. There is no explicit prohibition in the contracts regarding stereotypes or outdated cultural representations.
Although the studio now places warnings on older films due to racist or sexist stereotypes, these do not represent the boundaries that Disney themselves impose. Lowery, who directed [i]Pete's Dragon[/i] for the iconic studio, encountered a remarkable contract when he joined.
Three Strict Rules
The director states: "When you sign with Disney, your contract lists three things that cannot appear in your film: no decapitations, no heads on stakes, and no smoking. This is absolutely not allowed".
It is understandable that violent scenes like decapitations or someone being impaled are prohibited. However, the third prohibition regarding smoking is quite striking, especially since it appears in many classics. Lowery also struggles with this restriction.
Remarkable
The filmmaker continues: "I can still vividly remember the scene where Pinocchio smokes and turns bright red. This was, and still is, in my eyes, a scene that seems innocent, but that is no longer allowed".
The iconic smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland is also something that today would be absolutely unthinkable. There is no explicit prohibition in the contracts regarding stereotypes or outdated cultural representations.
