Disney debuted its first plus-size female lead in a short film on Disney+. Reflection follows a young ballet dancer named Bianca who struggles with her body image.
The film began streaming on the platform on September 14 and is part of the studio A series of experimental short circuit films. Social media users praised the film for promoting body positivity.
“Recommend to anyone struggling with the image they see in the mirror,” wrote one user. “So, everyone. But it’s especially for those of us who are shunned by society for not having a body that’s supposed to fit the ‘ideal’ image.”
In an introduction shown before the film began, Reflections director Hilary Bradfield said the idea for the short came about when she first thought about her own philosophy of the body.
“I feel like I’m basically a very body-positive person, but when it comes down to it on a personal level, it’s a lot harder to be body-positive,” Bradfield said.
The film shows Bianca practicing ballet in front of a mirror. As she is reflected, the mirror shatters and an animation shows her confidence waning. In the end, however, she is able to use her ballet skills to overcome her negative feelings.
“I just watched reflection on Disney+ and it represents body positivity and exactly how I felt as a child,” another Twitter user wrote.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/disney-first-plus-size-heroine-animated-short-reflect/
