Presenters
Abstract
This paper addresses the portrayal of Andean culture in Disney’s animated comedy The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000. It is a morality tale about an Inca emperor named Kuzco who is magically transformed into a llama by a potion originally intended to kill him by his evil advisor and her dim-witted henchman. After a series of comical misadventures, Kuzco is restored to his rightful place as emperor of the Inca dynasty with the help of a kind-hearted peasant named Pacha.
To children and adults who watched it, this film was typical Disney entertainment: colorful animation, David Spade’s hilarious one-liners, John Goodman’s loveable character, and the dynamic duo of Kronk and Izma as the villains, create a memorable film. According to Helaine Silverman, “…visual signifiers in these animated movies…are interpreted uncritically by most viewers in accordance with a culturally sanctioned hegemony.” However, if we dig a little deeper and go beyond the comedic aspect, we may question the cultural insensitivity and possible appropriation of significant aspects of this ancient civilization.