Next week, we will meet again with one of Disney’s most popular characters in recent years: Moana. The Polynesian Navigator was a huge success in 2016 and the sequel promises to bring more classic songs and adventures too.

The post is to remember the original, available on the Disney platform, and to give a teaser: in CLAUDIA I will have an exclusive chat with the singer Any Gabrielly, who is the Brazilian voice of the princess.

Moana represented a turning point for Disney by introducing a Polynesian protagonist, a journey focused on self-discovery, and a narrative that celebrates the culture and legacy of the Pacific islands. And it worked: it raised more than 640 million dollars worldwide and became a symbol of diversity and representation in animation.

The concern for authenticity marked a step forward compared to other animated films that dealt with non-Western cultures. In addition, Moana is a heroine without a romantic partner, focused on her self-discovery and the purpose of saving her community — a choice that represents an evolution in the construction of female protagonists at Disney.

Moana also received two Oscar nominations — Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, for How Far I’ll Go, composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. This commercial and critical success positioned the film as one of the most notable of the decade for the studio.

The story revolves around a young Polynesian woman who embarks on an adventure to save her home island, Motunui, threatened by a mysterious plague that devastates its natural resources. Moana is the daughter of Chief Tui, who expects her to assume leadership of the island, but she feels a strong calling from the ocean and an ancestral connection to exploration. Guided by the spirit of her grandmother Tala, Moana ventures beyond the reef and seeks help from Maui, a demigod who stole the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, unleashing the curse that plagues the island. Along the way, they face monsters and challenges, but Moana discovers her inner strength, restoring her heart and bringing life back to her home.

The creation of Moana involved years of research and cultural immersion by the Disney team, with directors Ron Clements and John Musker traveling to Pacific islands such as Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti to understand Polynesian culture and develop a more authentic portrayal. They assembled a team of cultural experts comprised of anthropologists, historians, and cultural consultants from the region to ensure that the film respected local mythology and traditions. Details such as Maui’s tattoos, which were based on traditional Polynesian tattoos, and the dances, music, and ceremonies that appear in the film.

In the United States, Moana was played by Auli’i Cravalho, a young Hawaiian woman who went through a rigorous selection process and impressed the directors with her acting and singing skills. Any Gabrielly went through a similar selection process in Brazil. And Dwayne Johnson, who lent his voice to Maui, also brought an authentic touch with his Samoan roots. This care for authenticity, combined with a narrative of female empowerment and respect for nature, gave the film a special character, being considered one of Disney’s most culturally sensitive and visually beautiful films.

In Moana 2, the navigator is once again called to the sea, but, more mature, she will have a different perspective on her adventure. Moana opens in theaters on November 28.

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