Frozen (2013)

Disney can and has to do better in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. The sense of support and representation for the aroace community I discuss in this article are entirely hypothetical. Aroace is shorthand for aromantic and asexual (the spelling is different because ace is based on pronunciation). These readings are meaningful for fans on the asexual spectrum (referred to as A-spec) who notice similarities and feel seen by the presence of these characters. Maybe they are intentionally coded to represent the aroace community, but there’s no official canon presence of any character on the A-spec in Disney films. In fact, Disney's first canonically queer character in an animated feature film only came last year with Strange World.

Broadly speaking, aromantic individuals are people who either do not feel romantic attraction at all or at least not in the traditional sense. Shift the context from romantic to sexual attraction and you have asexual people. The A-spec is a spectrum on which individuals experience different degrees of romantic and sexual attraction. Like any label, it can be individually defined by those who identify as aromantic, asexual, or as being on the aroace spectrum. It is also important to mention that while Disney as an organization hasn’t always been the best ally of the LGBTQIA+ community (think of the “don’t say gay” bill controversy), its content has resonated with queer people for a long time because many famous and iconic characters are queer-coded since directors, songwriters, and other creatives were often queer individuals themselves and intentionally coded some of the characters they created.

It is no secret within the Frozen fandom that protagonist Elsa is coded as queer, even if not canonically so. Most theories argue that Elsa is a lesbian, and a Twitter hashtag was specifically born out of the wish to see her in a lesbian romance! I personally see her as an aroace character (I’m not the only one) and I have plenty of evidence for it, but that’s an article for another time. Today I’m going to decode her defining song from Frozen, “Let It Go,” and its follow up in the sequel, “Into the Unknown." Both can be interpreted as songs about being queer and closeted.

(SPOILER ALERT for Frozen and Frozen II.)

We have chosen our favorite soundtrack songs from the modern music period (2010+). We hope you enjoy the diverse soundtrack music represented here by artists spanning different genres, countries, and continents.

*Warning, some songs are sexually suggestive, viewer discretion is advised.

Billy Crystal is a nine-time Oscar host and a revered comedy legend. Josh Gad is an up-and-coming comedy star who was a voice in the biggest animated movie of all time. So what happens when these two are forced to work together?

The Comedians is a comedy mockumentary about the behind-the-scenes making of  the fictional The Billy and Josh Show, where the two stars play fictionalized versions of themselves. The conflict between stars Billy Crystal (SNL fame) and Josh Gad (Olaf from Frozen) is central. After FX decides that Billy’s planned television show needs to be spruced up, they pair him with Frozen star Josh Gad. What ultimately results is two comedians whose comedy styles don’t mesh, as they pretend to be friendly while backstabbing each other to get what they want.

This is a series I came across one day as I was randomly scrolling through Hulu. The show only ran for one season, with a total of thirteen episodes, which is incredibly disappointing. The Comedians deserved far more than it got, because it is so well done. It consistently delivers big laughs, while also having a lot of heart to it.

I have a soft spot for television series that follow comedians playing themselves. Curb Your Enthusiasm, Maron, Legit, Louie before everything came out about Louis C.K. — these shows all feature comedians playing an exaggerated, a**hole version of themselves. While one may argue that The Comedians is simply following the trend of the aforementioned series, Billy Crystal and Josh Gad both play the part perfectly.

When we meet Billy Crystal in The Comedians, he’s been a comedy legend for decades. He’s had a massive career, but now he’s trying to get back out there in the public consciousness. While Billy ultimately feels insecure about his standing, this is masked when he is introduced to Josh Gad. Josh may be rising up the ranks in comedy, but Billy doesn’t understand Josh’s humor and has very little respect for him. Billy uses this to feel better about himself.

Frozen Fever is a short film that starts from where viewers left off after the 2013 film Frozen, which became a smashing success to young audiences. The short film centers around Anna's bond with her sister Elsa and her 19th birthday, which is the first birthday celebration the sisters have spent together since the years when they spent most of their time apart. All of the actors from the first film reprise their respective roles, and Prince Hans makes a minor appearance. Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee served as the directors, just like in the first film of the Frozen franchise.

Throughout the short film, Elsa develops symptoms for a cold, hence the title of the film Frozen Fever. As she gives Anna surprise birthday presents, her symptoms become worse. Anna notices Elsa having a fever, but Elsa is too busy preparing for her sister's birthday party that she doesn't rest for a minute. After Elsa almost falls off of the clock tower, Anna pulls her back to safety and is convinced that Elsa has a cold.

The song "Making Today A Perfect Day" centers around the bond between Anna and Elsa. It ties in with the theme of sisterhood in Frozen Fever. The song is about making a birthday celebration—or any celebration—perfect and memorable, especially with best friends. The short film concludes with Anna taking care of Elsa while Elsa is in bed, which Anna describes as having the best birthday present she has ever gotten.

Hans makes a small appearance in Frozen Fever, where he is at The Southern Isles cleaning out the horse stables as a consequence for his attempt to kill both Anna and Elsa and take over the kingdom of Arendelle. Also, Elsa's ice palace appears at the end of the short film, a reference to the song "Let It Go."

Frozen Fever is one of the short films that continues the bonds of sisterhood and is praised for the song, "Making Today A Perfect Day."