A Happy Beginning

Cinderella (2015) dir. Kenneth Branagh

have courage, and be kind.

I believe that we need not look outside of our borders for strength or guidance. What we need is right before us. And we need only have courage and be kind to see it. Cinderella (2015) dir. Kenneth Branagh

When there is kindness, there is goodness. When there is goodness, there is magic. 

Cinderella (2015) dir Kenneth Branagh

Cinderella (2015)

Will you promise me?

I watched all the Disney princesses, and it’s amazing how they changed and they have become more modern, right up until Frozen. I wanted a lot of Belle and of Ariel. I’m such a geek now with princesses. It’s pathetic. I wanted that desire for more in life, to want to explore, and to want to daydream. I feel like that spirit of princesses makes them great role models. They’re great inspirations for kids because they are outside of society, in a way. They don’t settle. The criticism of this girl just waiting for a prince to save her, we wanted to chuck that out and not have that dominate in our film. So, I tried to take flavors from all of the princesses, but keep the overriding sensation of Ella, which is that she is this kind, good person that is able to be happy in a cruel environment, and that is her superpower. – Lily James

“Belle is the feminist princess so much better than Cinderella who is a bad role model for girls!”

Oh. Oh really

So she was a bad role model when she:

A female character doesn’t just have to punch things and not wear a corset to be a good role model. I love Belle, but don’t dismiss Cinderella when she’s just as good as a role model as Belle!

(also feel free to add what I have missed!)

CINDERELLA WAS A MODEL OF A GOOD HUMAN WHO SUFFERED THROUGH THE SAME KIND OF FAMILIAL ABUSE THAT MANY OF US EVEN TODAY THINK IS PERFECTLY OKAY TO HAVE INFLICTED UPON US, CONTINUED TO BE A KINDHEARTED AND WONDERFUL PERSON, HELPFUL TO EVERYONE SHE MET, WORKED HERSELF TO EXHAUSTION, TOOK ON HER ABUSIVE STEPMOTHER TO PROTECT THE PRINCE AND I WILL THROW DOWN WITH ANY ASSHOLE THAT SAYS OTHER WISE.

MEET IN THE PIT, I’LL BE THE QUEEN IN GLASS HEELS, ASSHOLE.

There’s the role model who does and the role model who endures and sad to say but a kid in trouble is more likely to get it worse for trying to copy the first one.  Sometimes you can get yourself out of a bad situation but other times the best you can do is survive and look for what joy you can and try not to let it turn you into a dick.  Think about the schoolkids just trying to make it to June.

“Will you take me as I am — an honest country girl who loves you?”