Using source material from another era in the creation of pop culture artifacts can have a number of implications, both positive and negative.

On the one hand, it can be a way to celebrate and promote diversity, by introducing new cultures and stories to a wider audience. For example, Disney’s Moana was a groundbreaking film in its portrayal of Polynesian culture, and it helped to raise awareness of the importance of representation and diversity in Hollywood.

On the other hand, there is always a risk of cultural appropriation when adapting source material from another culture. Cultural appropriation is the act of adopting elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without understanding or respecting the original culture. When this happens, it can lead to stereotypes, misrepresentations, and even harm.

For example, Disney’s Mulan has been criticized for its whitewashing of the Chinese culture it depicts. The film’s creators have been accused of changing elements of the story to make it more palatable to a Western audience, such as removing Mulan’s love interest and giving her a more feminine appearance.

It is important to note that there is a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. Cultural appreciation is the respectful and thoughtful engagement with another culture. It involves learning about the culture, understanding its context, and appreciating its unique contributions.

When adapting source material from another era, it is important to be mindful of the potential for cultural appropriation. Creators should strive to be respectful of the original culture and to avoid misrepresentations. They should also consult with experts from the culture they are depicting to ensure that their work is accurate and authentic.

In addition to the ethical issues involved, using source material from another era can also present creative challenges. Creators need to find a way to balance the need to be respectful of the original work with the need to make it accessible to a modern audience. This can be difficult, especially when the source material is hundreds or even thousands of years old.

One way to overcome this challenge is to update the setting and characters of the story. For example, in the film Romeo + Juliet, director Baz Luhrmann updated Shakespeare’s classic play to take place in modern-day Los Angeles. This allowed him to keep the essence of the story intact while making it more relatable to a modern audience.

Another way to adapt source material from another era is to focus on the universal themes of the story. For example, Disney’s Mulan is a story about courage, sacrifice, and family. These are themes that resonate with people from all cultures and time periods.

Overall, there are both potential benefits and risks to using source material from another era in the creation of pop culture artifacts. It is important to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them. When done thoughtfully and respectfully, adapting source material from another era can be a way to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and create new and exciting works of art.

Here are some additional examples of culturally specific stories that have been exported to a more general audience:

• Aladdin (Disney) – based on the Middle Eastern folktale “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp”
• The Lion King (Disney) – inspired by Shakespeare’s play Hamlet and traditional African folktales
• Pocahontas (Disney) – based on the historical figure of Pocahontas and the Native American legend of the hummingbird
• The Prince of Egypt (DreamWorks) – based on the biblical story of Moses
• Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli) – based on Japanese mythology and folklore
• Howl’s Moving Castle (Studio Ghibli) – based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones
• Princess Mononoke (Studio Ghibli) – based on Japanese mythology and folklore
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Ang Lee) – based on the wuxia novel Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Wang Dulu
• Hero (Zhang Yimou) – based on the story of Jing Ke, a legendary Chinese assassin
• Parasite (Bong Joon-ho) – a South Korean original story

These are just a few examples, and there are many other culturally specific stories that have been adapted for a more general audience. It is important to note that not all of these adaptations have been successful. Some have been criticized for cultural appropriation or misrepresentation. However, when done thoughtfully and respectfully, adapting culturally specific stories can be a way to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and create new and exciting works of art.

Additional ethical issues to consider

In addition to the ethical issues of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, there are a number of other ethical issues to consider