Disney has released a new short film entitled Reflect focusing on body dysmorphia.
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Disney's first plus-size protagonist
Reflect is part of Disney’s Short Circuit series of experimental films and is directed by Hillary Bradfield, the Disney Animation story artist behind Frozen 2 and Encanto. Bradfield created the first Disney heroine with glasses in the latter.
The short is about ‘a ballet dancer [called Bianca] who battles her own reflection, overcoming doubt and fear by channeling her inner strength, grace and power.’
The film debut’s Disney’s first plus-size heroine. According to the Daily Mail, in the company's 85-year history of making movies, plus-size characters have been solely reserved for the likes of villains or extras.
An all-new Short Circuit Experimental Film has arrived! Stream “Reflect” and all the Short Circuit Experimental Films by Walt Disney Animation Studios artists now on @DisneyPlus. 🩰 🎆 pic.twitter.com/c0gw5U4ecc
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) September 14, 2022
The move has received widespread praise from viewers. One wrote:
I saw this Disney short called Reflect and it emotionally tore me up. It’s about a little plus size girl doing ballet and the mirrors start to swallow her up because of her body insecurity but she destroys them by dancing anyway.
While another tweeted:
16 year old me needed this Disney short before I quit ballet because I didn’t want to be the fat girl in class anymore. I’m glad little ones will have this. 10/10 for Reflect!
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Disney+ FINALLY made a short with a Plus Size lead! It’s called Reflect and it’s part of the Short Circuit short series. Let’s just say I was SOBBING
— Coriander (@cori_ander28) October 4, 2022
What is body dysmorphia?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), body dysmorphia is a 'body-image disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one's appearance'. The ADAA continues:
In reality, a perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or nonexistent. But for someone with BDD, the flaw is significant and prominent, often causing severe emotional distress and difficulties in daily functioning.
Reflect was released on Disney's streaming platform, Disney Plus, on 14 September and is available to watch now.
Sources used:
- Daily Mail: 'Disney unveil their first plus-size heroine in 'emotional' film about body dysmorphia that leaves fans in tears'
- Metro: 'Disney has just debuted its first plus-size heroine to widespread praise'
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: 'Body Dysmorphic Disorder'
