Trans Allegories in Film: 'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
Films can alleviate alienation by presenting realities where the viewers feelings are shared by onscreen characters. 'The Little Mermaid" film can be interpreted as a transgender story.

In this story, Narizinho visits the world of Prince Escamado, meets the frog Major Agarra-E-Não-Larga-Mais, quarrels with Dona Carochinha, and receives the most dazzling dress—crafted especially for her by Dona Aranha, the world's best seamstress. In the Kingdom of Clear Waters, Emília comes to life, takes Doctor Caramujo’s pills, and begins to chatter away. Meanwhile, back in the city, Pedrinho prepares for his long-awaited vacation at the Yellow Woodpecker Farm, alongside his grandmother Dona Benta and Tia Nastácia’s delicious treats.
Films can alleviate alienation by presenting realities where the viewers feelings are shared by onscreen characters. 'The Little Mermaid" film can be interpreted as a transgender story.
This powerful story shines with poetic animation, an exploration of deeper truths, and the protagonist's complex search for identity.
What seems like such a simple story of survival is so much more than that—it’s a story of family, and of war, and of destruction. It’s painful to watch, but not in a bad way. It makes its audience reflect on their own actions, and in how they are complicit in the sufferings of others as the adults in this film are. Grave of the Fireflies does not hold back from being heartbreaking, and it shouldn’t. It tells a message that needs to be heard decades after the war, and a story that cannot be forgotten by history.
Coverage from the Austin Film Festival, highlighting some panels and films that emphasized the importance of diverse and inclusive storytelling.
You can have the best filmmaker and cast in the world, but if the script is lacking, you’re in a troublesome state. Such is the case with Gemini Man, a film full of tremendous artists.
Diana’s spirit has taken off, ‘No right, no wrong, no rules for me.’ And in that moment, as she runs on the screen, she gets it, her ‘Let It Go’ moment.