Disney in the Classroom - Dec 4, 2003

Disney in the Classroom
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by Lee Suggs (archives)
December 4, 2003
Lee talks about what can be learned from Disney's latest animated feature Brother Bear.


(c) Disney

Disney in the Classroom
Brother Bear

Brother Bear is a remarkable movie. It gives an honest and enlightening view of a Native American culture while teaching a lesson about the true nature of love. Unfortunately many people will never see this important movie. 


Kenai encounters a spirit being
(c) Disney

Perhaps this is because the movie begins with a realistic portrayal of Inuit life. This portrayal includes many aspects of Inuit culture including their Animist beliefs. This makes conservative critics uneasy and causes them not to recommend the film. Or perhaps it is because Brother Bear's portrayal of ursine behavior is so unrealistic. This makes the film entertaining and makes its message accessible to children. But it has also caused most mainstream critics to assess the film as "a paint by the numbers effort..." or as "too bland for all but toddlers...".      


Bears don't usually discuss pictures
(c) Disney

Many people will listen to the media and will not see Brother Bear. Let me suggest that this is a poor decision. As I stated above Brother Bear is a remarkable movie. Most presentations of Native American cultures romanticize and glorify their way of life. Brother Bear presents the Inuits as people very much like us.  They have fears and doubts about their world and their place in it, just as we do. Brother Bear also deals frankly with the Inuits' religious beliefs. I believe this is an opportunity for understanding and growth instead of a reason not to see the film. Virtually all primitive people are Animists. Most of our modern religions came from, or were shaped by, their founders' responses to Animism. So seeing a realistic portrayal of the Inuits' religious beliefs can give us a deeper understanding of our own religious beliefs. Such a portrayal can also teach us that all religions contain truths (like the belief that a person committing an immoral act will suffer for committing that act) that can help us to become better people.    


Kenai's first reaction to Koda
(c) Disney

I also believe the movie provides an excellent lesson on the true nature of love. We often say we love someone because being with him or her makes us feel good. This is certainly Kenai's interpretation of love.  Kenai loves Sitka because Sitka makes him feel safe and strong. Understanding love only as a feeling leads to unhappiness, and sometimes to great suffering.

Fortunately most of us eventually learn that love is not just a feeling, but that it is a commitment. Some of us learn this from our parents or from our religious experiences. Others only learn this after suffering the consequences of a self centered lifestyle. Sitka knows Kanai will have to suffer to learn to love. So he makes him into, and responsible for, what he hates and fears the most.

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