Abigail E. Disney, the granddaughter of The Walt Disney Company’s co-founder Roy O. Disney, has been critical of the Walt Disney Company for the past few years. Now, the heir to the magical name is taking her criticisms to a new level–a new documentary: “The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales.”
Per a recent report by Bloomberg, the film argues that the Walt Disney Company has lost its moral compass. In the film, Disney lays out an unflattering portrait of the company. Specifically, regarding pay inequality and the struggles of some theme park employees trying to sustain their families on minimum wage salaries.
“They have gone the way of most every other company in this country. They started with a bigger idea of themselves than that,” Disney said in an interview. “The Walt Disney Co. was better. It was kinder, it was gentler. It was a human company.”
“We have lost the plot,” said Disney.
The film is playing in select theaters beginning Friday and on video-on demand services. “The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales” is directed by Abigail E. Disney, an activist and film producer, and the filmmaker Kathleen Hughes.
The film begins following a viral series of tweets from Disney in 2019 in which she slammed Bob Iger, the previous Disney chief executive, for compensation that in 2018 surpassed $65 million.
Disney’s siblings, Susan Disney Lord and Tim Disney, are also executive producers on the film, which was made without any interaction from the company.
The film follows four Disneyland custodians who on a salary of $15 an hour struggle to make ends meet while living in the high-priced Anaheim, California, area.
In response to “The American Dream,” a Disney spokesperson replied with a statement.
“Our amazing cast members, storytellers, and employees are the heart and soul of Disney, and their wellbeing is our top priority. We work hard to ensure that our team is supported in ways that enable them to grow their careers, care for their families, and thrive at work — which is why so many people choose to spend their entire careers with us.”
The spokesperson also cited medical coverage, access to tuition-free higher education and subsidized child care as worker benefits. “We are committed to building on these impactful programs by identifying new ways to support our cast members and communities around the world,” said the spokesperson.
Will you be watching “The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales” when it premieres Friday? Let us know in the comments!
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