Neoliberal Aesthetics of Resistance in the Disney Star Wars Films
Rescripting Rebellion
Abstract
From 2015 to 2019, the Walt Disney Corporation has produced five theatrical films in the Star Wars galaxy. These films have been met with mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike and sparked seemingly endless public debate about representations of people of color, women, and queer people in 21st century popular film. This book explores the evolving discourse surrounding Disney’s Star Wars films from a political economic perspective and through a lens focusing on the corporate representation of marginalized communities with an aim to critique neoliberal ethics of resistance against fascist regimes. Through exploring the characters of Saw Gerrera, Finn, Poe Dameron, and L3-37, Abigail Reed argues that Disney’s utilization of diverse identities within the franchise is ultimately regressive. Rather than engaging with marginalized communities’ histories or futures, Reed posits, Disney uses these narratives to serve its private interests as an American global media conglomerate and undermine historically effective models of rebellion against imperialism in favor of a model of governance that centers Whiteness and the interests of the Global North.
Schlagworte
Disney studies Star Wars audience studies critical political economy feminist media criticism minority studies postcolonial studies queer media studies- i–xii Preface i–xii
- 1–8 Introduction 1–8
- 29–64 Chapter 2: Saw Gerrera, Fear of the Other, and Imperialist Ideologies Embedded in Rogue One 29–64
- 119–120 Conclusion 119–120
- 121–132 Bibliography 121–132
- 133–140 Index 133–140
- 141–142 About the Author 141–142