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| Belle trying to remain Beautiful |
I saw an interview on CTV News Channel today with Dina Goldstein. She's a photographer based out of British Columbia, and has made a name for herself with her "Fallen Princesses project.
We often wonder what happens after "happily ever after," and Goldstein presents her answers using photography. Belle is shown having plastic surgery, Jasmine dressed up for war. Ariel shown in an aquarium setting, and Cinderella (always my favourite) shown drowning her sorrows at a bar.
Goldstein's daughter was just getting into the Princess stage, which formed part of her inspiration. The other part came from her own mother who was going through cancer treatments and wondered "what if they had to deal with situations like that?"
I watched the interview thinking "is nothing sacred?" I'm old enough to know, and accept life isn't a Disney movie. Even though I'm beyond the age where I watched, and took those movies seriously a part of me hopes there is a handsome prince out there. Every girl does. Is there any harm in that? Is there any harm in showing kids that beauty is only skin deep as in Beauty and the Beast? Or that beautiful self-assured women still needs a John Smith as with Pocahontas?
Those Disney Princess wouldn't survive well when faced with the same struggles as modern women. At the same time, you've got to have a little fantasy; what's the harm of dreaming of Prince Charming? Or imagining life under the sea.
A fairy tale is defined as a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending. Kids are smart; they quickly catch on that princesses aren't awakened with a magical kiss; or rescued from a tower by a prince climbing up their hair. It's not too much to keep a little bit of magic throughout our lives. These movies make us feel good, and give us permission to dream a little.
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