130 – Pocahontas (ft. Camilla Townsend)

Fresh from experiencing the circle of life in the savanna, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers head just around the river bend to Disney’s next renaissance movie: 1995’s Pocahontas. Since they can only speak to the film itself – and not its important, and oft-mistold, historical context – they’re joined early in the show in a guest slot by historian, lecturer, and Pocahontas And The Powhatan Dilemma author Camilla Townsend, who uses her expertise to dig into the real story behind the one that’s (inaccurately) gone down in history, discuss the stuff the Disney film gets wrong, and explain how this film moved the needle on wider understanding of Pocahontas’ true identity. Then, it’s into the film itself, as Ben and Sam talk the troubling romance at its core, the literary aspirations of its lyrics, how it approaches ideas of colonialism, and the entertaining antics of Flit and Meeko. Next up: The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.