Mirabel Madrigal is the protagonist of Disney's 2021 animated feature film Encanto. RELATED: Pixar Movies: 10 Times Hard Work Beat Natural Talent. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.cbr.com/encanto-worst-things-abuela-did-family-ranked/. While the path may not be as smooth in real life, the ability to talk about intergenerational trauma and work toward change can bring about healing in both the individual and the family as a whole. InEncanto,the black sheep of the family is Bruno Madrigal. How to Reconcile With an Estranged Family Member, 3 Ways to Build an Unbreakable Bond With Your Child, Stand Up Straight, Your Neurons Are Watching, The Hard Problems of Consciousness and Psychology, How to Support Those Whove Chosen Family Estrangement. His visions were regarded as bad for the family and in no way good for the progressing of the family and town. Intergenerational trauma, which is also referred to as transgenerational trauma or multigenerational trauma, is when the effects of a trauma are passed from one generation to the next. Encanto tackles issues of family, insecurity, and so many things that make it relatable to many of the people who have watched it. We are all members of some family system that shapes who we become, how we perceive the world, and how we view ourselves. Her constant dismissal of Mirabel and using her family's gifts as a currency of sorts, Abuela fueled the breakdown of her family without even realizing it. The voice cast is the most impressive by far, with actors Carolina Gaitan (Pepa Madrigal), Rhenzy Feliz (Camilo Madrigal), Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Antonio), Wilmer Valderrama (Agustin), and Mauro Castillo (Felix Madrigal). She assumes that role as the eldest of the triplets and the one in charge of helping others heal their emotional problems. Encanto- A Movie Analysis. This can lead to a lot of conflicts. Most family dynamics presented in Encanto come with two elements which are often tied together, something the film does well, according to therapists: intergenerational trauma and immigration. What Latino Health Research Says About 'Encanto' - Latino Rebels However, Mirabel always made it her mission to assist and be of help to the family in any way she could. Instead of a crime-fighting superhero arc, the story centers around family dynamics and the expectations that come with having incredible gifts. Movie fans give thanks for Disney's 'Encanto,' Lady Gaga's 'House of Gucci' at box office. As therapists, we love the normalizing of a less-than-perfect family. Instead, it centres on dysfunctional interpersonal relationships and how much they can impact us when we choose to sweep them under the carpet. How Encanto Explores Generational Trauma - Collider Abuelas trauma of losing her husband and having to flee her home has been a driving force in her controlling nature when it comes to the family's magic. Under the surface, "Encanto" is a celebration not of community, but of selfishness. But then were reminded its a Disney movie. Abuela doesnt want to hear that her methods and leadership style are flawed and prefers to blame him. Luisa's power is super-strength and she takes on any task the community throws at her. The only member of her family to not receive a special door and magic, Mirabel was treated as a nuisance by her family, especially her Abuela. Encanto Movie Review It is important to realize that family systems are units and the actions of a part of that unit affect the other parts of that same unit. A more subtle one is Camilo, 'the distracter.' The film embodies everything needed for a successful animated picture these days and has only multiplied with the amazing musical numbers showcased in the film. While certainly geared towards younger kids (preschool and up), older kids, teens and even adults will find this Disney movie to be good. The plot of Encanto revolves around 15-year-old Mirabel who, despite her empathetic and quirky personality, is a black sheep in her extraordinary family. It melds the themes of love, acceptance, and family expectations along with breaking generational trauma and getting on with the present. The film took. Encanto then follows Mirabel on her journey towards saving her casita and family from impending doom. Abuela can be seen as the villain of the story but the real villain is generational trauma. She is the youngest daughter of Julieta and Agustn Madrigal and youngest sister of Isabela and Luisa, who has the distinction of being the only Madrigal by birth without a magical gift. We dont talk about Bruno. A narrative that explores one of the most important holidays in Mexico, Dia de Los Muertos, this story is as sensitive as it is colorful. The film took the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at this years Academy Awards, consecrating its place as one of the best recent Disney movies. Encanto is a Disney film released in 2021. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Sometimes it's from trauma. Isabela is the personification of perfection, at least in the eyes of Abuela, the family, and the rest of the community. Disneys Encanto doesnt have the same grandioseness of movies past. Another example is Coco. These individuals were/are portrayed as the screw-ups and unreliable of the family. Luisa is the character many of us connect with the most, especially those of us who are the eldest child. Mirabel does what so many Latinx millennials working to break generational trauma want to do: stand up to the root of the issue, to the very person(s)causing the hurt and pain. Keshav Kant, aka Mx. However, after learning that it would take place in Colombia and highlight the joys and tribulations of family systems, I knew I had to see it. This eventually leads her to verbally attack Mirabel for every negative thing thats ever happened to the family. Disney's Encanto is one of the best animated movies released this year. Abuelas top priority of keeping the family magic intact and the family home running smoothly became her number one priority and more important than understanding her family and the things that truly matter. Enter, Mirabel. This happens when people direct the feelings brought up by trauma outwards by expressing anger towards others. She has invariably placed her obsession with the social standing of the family above the basic needs of its members. As a society, strong families are very impactful on communities. We also have Bruno. Encanto is now available to stream on Disney+. Her character has gone through so much and it is in turn, showing up in how she interacts with her family members. If Abuela pushes her away, Isabella will do it as well, because she doesnt want to risk the spot of the favorite one. Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.. Vicky Flind, the presenter's wife, revealed he is "suffering from serious mental . The Madrigal family of the Disney animated film Encanto lives in a beautiful hidden village in Colombia, where a miracle imbues members of the family with a magical giftfrom super-strength to the ability to heal to shapeshiftingthat they use to help their community. It chooses to reflect on the significance of community, family and the importance of knowing when to stand out from the crowd making for one emotional and truly enchanting film. Of course, since intergenerational trauma impacts the family as a whole, it can be especially helpful to seek out therapy with as many members of the family as possible as it can present a fuller picture of the issues that have manifested themselves across generations. The roles she attributed to the family members became so important to her that she lost sight of what they needed. Opening in the U.S. on Nov. 24, 2021, "Encanto" features the voices of (from L to R): Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo . The Meaning Behind Encanto and Why It's Worthy To Watch But Mirabel and perhaps this is her magical powersees in the rest of the family what they cant see in themselves. Lets now see how this generational trauma forces the characters to take on a toxic role within the family. The disparity between action and words is in itself a form of gaslighting and a common tactic of narcissists. The breakout song, "We Dont Talk About Bruno" (Miranda et al., 2021), is literally a celebration of shunning, demonizing, and scapegoating a sensitive member of the family. Over-talking at social gatherings is often due to situational influences, not inherent traits. What Is the 'Triangle Method' Flirting Technique? The kids are asked to present a perfect image, and this comes at the detriment of their mental health. Nearly everyone in the family, without ever daring to express it, feels unhappy by whats expected of them because of their magic rather than what they actually want. Hes somehow the jester or the mascot of the family; the one whos always lightening the mood. | But Maribel when it was time for her to open the door to her future, vanished before her eyesleaving her the only mundane Madrigal in town. RELATED: One Quote From Each Main Character In Encanto That Sums Up Their Personality. The story is filled with many psychology-related themes that are important to explore. Empowering BIPoC To Shape The World We Live In. This trauma lurking in the background makes Encanto's multigenerational story the perfect lens through which to understand and explore intergenerational trauma, including what it is, how people cope with it, and what can be done to heal. Politics is power over others. Isabela, who among other objectifications is being forced into a loveless marriage, wonders, What could I do if I just knew it didn't need to be perfect? The wounds caused by the Madrigals dysfunction go on and on. Under the surface, "Encanto" is a celebration not of community, but of selfishness. As a society, strong families can benefit communities. In Encanto, Abuela's interactions with Mirabel can be seen as examples of this. 12/09/2021 The new Disney film "Encanto" tells the story of an Indigenous Zenu family in Colombia. Antonio is the youngest of the Madrigal. They may no longer be willing to go to social functions or may even feel unsafe going to the grocery store, but either way their desire to avoid being hurt limits their lives. She doesnt want to disappoint others but in the process is feeling overwhelmed. Family therapist and YouTuber Steph Anya breaks down the dynamics present in the movie and the roles of each character. A horror fanatic and compulsive reader on the weekends, Ana loves everything that has to do with storytelling. No clear destiny. fMRI studies show that an experience of rejection and an experience of physical pain can both activate the same areas of the brain. Therapy is the power over oneself. Cynthia Vinney, PhD is an expert in media psychology and a published scholar whose work has been published in peer-reviewed psychology journals. 'Encanto': Magical realism with relatable family issues - Sportskeeda This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Now, besides the marvelous and fantastical bits of the story, what the movie is really about is how generational trauma is. The movie brings up issues from perfectionism to family pressure, mental illness, estrangement, self-esteem, emotions, people-pleasing, generational trauma, boundaries, parenting, rejection, coping mechanisms and more. It's a mysterious package, delivered by subtle sensory clues. We se that clearer with the characters of Bruno, who was literally vanished and taken out of the family narrative, and Mirabel, whose love is constantly rejected by her Abuela. Perhaps, thats why shes the first one to crack whenever she sees the miracle is fading, because, in a way, shes liberating herself from carrying all that burden. What was the sin that the Madrigals proffer as justifying their years of contempt? She has been through so much in her life, and because of her tragic past, her trauma has seeped its way into the Madrigal family. How Collective Trauma Impacts Your Health. Mirable, on her side, tries too hard to make herself useful for the family even when theyre constantly diminishing her for not having any power. But what about the children? No ones perfect, however, Abuela is determined to risk losing her grandkids to make sure that perfection is all that the Madrigal family is. Those emotions continue to dwell in the family system, and it is her daughter, Pepa, who manifests them. Crushed under the weight of those expectations, family members are not only secretly unhappy, but also begin losing their gifts. Then, as the movie goes on it becomes clear that Abuela feels that Mirabel's lack of a gift makes her a danger to the magical perfection the family usually projects.