The Princess and the Frog, Disney’s First African-American Princess

Disney went oldschool with its latest animated feature: The Princess and the Frog. It brings up old element of hand-drawn animation, but performs a whole new plot by bringing up the first African-American princess in Disney history.

Tiana, a hard-working young woman in 1920’s New Orleans makes a wish upon the star, that someday she will be able to open her own gourmet restaurant, despite the fact that she is a maid.

Her wish comes true in a strange way when she meets a talking frog. The frog convinces her that if she kisses it he will become a handsome prince.

Tiana’s kiss does not break the spell, it turns her into a frog instead. Together both frogs makes a journey into the bayou searching for a way to become human again.

Broadway stage star Anika Noni voices Tiana. “This is something that I’ve always dreamed of doing. I didn’t dream of being a princess. I could have been a dandelion and I would have been really happy. So this is like when your dreams take off and become higher than what you had imagined. It’s amazing,” she said.

Pixar’s filmmaker John Lasseter fills up the credit, as the executive producer. “We wanted to make a Disney animated film: something that, on the other hand, feels like a very classic Disney animated film, yet is brand new,” said Lasseter.

The Princess and the Frog also features Keith David as Dr. Facilier’s voice, Terrence Howard as Tiana’s father’s voice and Oprah Winfrey as her mom’s voice. Disney animation veterans John and Ron Clements sit on the director’s chair, while the music is by Randy Newman.

[ via VOA News ]

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