Abigail E. Disney, niece of Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney, has just released a documentary claiming that the Walt Disney Co. has lost its moral compass
AP – It is not the first time Abigail E. Disney criticizes the company that bears his name. But it’s the first time Disney, grandson of co-founder Roy O. Disney, has presented his views on the vehicle that built his house. baby mouse: the film.
in the new documentary The American dream and other fairy tales, Abigail Disney claims that the Walt Disney Co. has lost its moral compass. As one of the company’s most outspoken and prominent critics – and one who happens to happen to his family – Disney presents an unflattering portrait of the company, particularly in regards to pay inequality and the struggles some theme park employees face. they had to support the family. with a minimum wage.
“They’ve followed the path of just about every other company in this country. They started thinking they were bigger than anything else,” Disney said in an interview. “THE Walt Disney Co. it was better. She was kinder, kinder. It was a human undertaking. We’ve lost the thread, “Disney said.
The American dream, which will be screened in some theaters and premiered on Friday 30th, in video on demand, is directed by Disney herself, an activist and film producer, and by director Kathleen Hughes. It was made in the wake of a series of Disney tweets in 2019, in which he criticized Bob Iger, the then CEO of Disney, for a salary that exceeded $ 65 million in 2018. Disney brothers Susan Disney Lord and Tim Disney are also executive producers on the film, which was made without any interaction with the company.
“Nobody contacted me. I’m a little confused by all of this, frankly,” Disney said. “I’ll be happy to talk if that’s what they want. I cheer them on. I love the company. The film is a love letter to the company. But when you really love something and see it go off the rails, you can’t shut up. “.
The film follows four janitors of the disneyland who, with an hourly wage of $ 15, struggle to make ends meet in expensive Anaheim, California. The growing pay gap between executives and low-level workers is one problem disney he knows he goes beyond the concerns of the company with his films. At one point in the film, she describes her hope for change as “something Disney-ish”.
“I know people think I live in an abstract land,” Disney said. “But abstractions matter a lot and sensitivities have to change.”
The salaries of some Disney employees are changing. Unions representing 9,500 Disneyland workers avoided a strike by ratifying a deal that raised wages from $ 15.45 an hour to $ 18. A union representing Anaheim hotel workers also recently reached an agreement in the United States. US $ 23.50 per hour. (The previous ruling was that Anaheim’s Minimum Wage Ordinance, which is $ 23.50, did not apply to Disneyland.)
In response to The American dreama Disney spokesperson responded with a statement.
“Our amazing actors, storytellers and employees are the heart and soul of Disney and their well-being is our top priority. We work hard to ensure our team is supported in ways that enable them to grow their careers,” take care of their families and thrive on the job, which is why so many people choose to spend their entire careers with us. “
The spokesperson also cited medical coverage, access to free higher education, and subsidized childcare as benefits for workers. “We are committed to building these impactful programs by identifying new ways to support our employees and communities around the world,” the spokesperson said.
When Roy E. Disney, who founded the company with his brother Walt, in 1923, left the board in 2003, the family left running the company. Ever since it was created by Abigail Disney documentarywhich premiered in January the Sundance Film Festival, Iger was succeeded by Bob Chapek, who previously managed the company’s parks. During that time, theme park prices have risen dramatically, another point of contention for Disney.
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for Disneyland to become a luxury vacation destination that most Americans can’t afford,” he said. “I don’t know how long the brand can take.”
Disney, however, was cheered on by workers protesting Chapek’s reaction to Florida legislation that critics dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. For Disney, the situation reflected the company’s difficulty in maintaining itself as a kind of moral authority in such politically polarized times.
“There’s nothing like not having a position on this issue,” he said. “There is no such thing as a neutral land. Pretending you can stand still on a moving train is a terrible mistake.”
Eventually, Disney finds it increasingly difficult to recognize the company that has been the family business for much of its life. Making a movie about her disapproval, she says, was “extremely uncomfortable.” But she hasn’t given up on a “happily ever after” ending.
“I mean really good,” Disney says. “You can say many things about me, but I wanted to do good.” / TRANSLATION OF RENATO PRELORENTZOU
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Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.
