The majority of us who watched Disney movies as children grew up in a world of narrow-waisted princesses with long locks and pale skin, incredibly slim bodies, and little to no diversity in reality. Though the films themselves may occupy a fond place in our lives, the flaws in representation that come at an age which is so impressionable is hard to get rid of. However, Disney has finally embarked on a journey which resonates with the reality that surrounds us.
Disney has debuted its first plus-size female protagonist. A ballet dancer named Bianca faces her own reflection in the Disney+ short film Reflect, overcoming fear and doubt by drawing on her inner grace, strength, and power.
The title “Reflect” comes from Bianca seeing her reflection in the mirrors and reconciling how she looks with how she feels. While surrounded by the broken mirrors, Bianca is initially scared and self-conscious about how she looks.
As seen in the trailer, Bianca is in an empty dance studio happily and confidently practicing by herself before class starts and others walk into the room. Then she becomes uncomfortable when her classmates and instructor arrive. The story will show us how Bianca will battle her own reflection and overcome doubt and fear by channeling her inner strength, grace and power.
It is a part of the experimental film series Disney’s Short Circuit, which debuted last month on the Disney+ streaming platform. The inspirational six-minute film is marketed as a story about overcoming body dysmorphia and self-doubt. The little film clip depicts Bianca practicing ballet in the mirror as her reflection breaks apart, signifying the fractured perception of her body that she has.
The Disney animation artist and director Hillary Bradfield, who also worked on Encanto and Frozen II, said she hoped viewers could “feel more positively about themselves and how they look” after watching the short.
“Sometimes you go to the dark place to get to the good place. And that just makes the good place that much more beautiful,” she said in an interview before the film’s release.
Reflect is now streaming on Disney+
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