Once upon a time...

… there was a forest and in it lived many magical creatures. We all know how fairy-tales start but soon our modern popular culture books can be started in the same way. Since about 2010 fairy-tales put in a modern jacket are making a huge comeback fueled by Hollywood. Currently the honour belongs to Snow White who we has two movies coming up with popular and loved Hollywood actresses. The first is Mirror, Mirror (2012) starring Julia Roberts as the evil queen and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) with Twilight’s Kristen Stewart and Oscar winner Charlize Theron. Whether we accept it or not, Hollywood is an entity with uncountable creative talent that in a certain way defines what is popular in a broad sense of the word. Currently that is fairy-tales!

                                         

                It probably all started with the animated movie Shrek (2001) which was a major success worldwide. I believe this success is thanks to lovable new characters, Shrek himself, sidekick Donkey and the lovely Fiona, and that they are surrounded by the storybook characters we have grown up with. More specifically, grown to love. With irony and humour mixed in it makes for a perfect cinematic cocktail great for children and adults alike. It is then also not surprising that Hollywood heads started thinking further.

                Last year we saw the release of a modern little red riding hood, Red Riding Hood (2011), clearly aimed at an older public. There is promise of much to come but my personal favourite is the television show from ABC Studios, also the makers of LOST, Once Upon a Time (2011). Here all the characters from the fairy-tale world have been cursed by the evil queen from Snow White to live in our world in a town called Storybrooke, where there are no sure happy endings. Moreover, all the shows characters do not remember they were once someone else which makes for an intriguing and truly wonderful television experience. The decors are breathtaking and the costumes are already enough to watch this show for.

               What is also great about the current atmosphere is that the stories are about the princesses we love so much. Yet, they are more than happy-go-lucky damsels in distress to be saved by their prince. They are just that much better, as are virtually all the characters. The characters are deep and worked out, such as Belle, Snow White and Cinderella etc. in Once Upon a Time. Moreover, they know what they want and will work to make their dreams come true. There are lovely messages of love, friendship and so much more. Moreover, although in a world where ‘magic’, in the literal sense of the word, is possible it is very tempting although they are always warned that ‘magic comes with a price’.

                Although, for all of us of this generation fairy-tales are pretty standard, for the generation after us and after that they are not at all that self-evident. This is probably because parents have stopped telling these tales because they are scared that they can be emotionally scathing and give nightmares to their children. For instance Little Red Riding Hood walks alone through a forest only to find her grandmother eaten by a wolf. Rapunzel is a bit ‘dark’ and the story of Cinderella is put aside because it upholds traditional roles.[1] Modern stories are preferred. I guess it depends, because for the record, I did not have nightmares although I was told the stories and I was very happy when I received Disney’s Snow White for my 6^th birthday J

                Personally, I am excited to be able to experience this comeback as there are so many possibilities and it has such an obvious effect with regard to popular culture. For instance, Marc Jacobs, a passionate designer who, in my opinion, embraces popular culture has designed a ‘glass’ slipper (made out of PVC). Although it might not be what people are waiting for, the attraction is undeniable given the associations. The sheer fact that he designed something like this has something magical. Fairytales are clearly becoming that much more tangible. So who knows, it definitely sparks the will to live happily ever after.

On a personal note

I realize it has been a bit quiet on my blog but I plan on changing this. From now on I might not always publish longer articles, although my aim is still to do this at least once a month. I will try and also post shorter messages because I genuinely take a lot of pleasure from this pastime ;)!

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[1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/4125664/Traditional-fairytales-not-PC-enough-for-parents.html