Two new transfers to the screen, series “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power“and the game version of the film”Mermaid“, have drawn the ire and outrage of many fans. And this is because, as they claim, both projects follow the model of political correctness.

In particular, there are heated discussions online about people of different backgrounds joining the cast. Nationalityeven the female leads, with the result that it somehow weakens the story as it was first presented to the public.

Against the backdrop of a racist backlash directed at the cast #RingsofPowerThe show’s official social media shared a statement in defense of their stars: “BIPOC belongs to Middle Earth and they are here to stay.”

https://t.co/1ocNwJNdqd pic.twitter.com/XMAmdMKdAT

— Screen Ranting (@screenrant) September 8, 2022

Prequel to the film trilogy”Lord of the Rings» shown on streaming service Amazon Prime Video caused a reaction very early, since the release of the official trailer.

Actors playing the key characters of the story and inhabiting Middle-earth, African and Asian descent and thus, according to the fandoms, they “destroyed the authenticity” of the universe created by the British author. J. R. R. Tolkien. In this world, elves, hobbits, warriors, dwarves White people.

Similar complaints have recently been made about the upcoming Disney film The Little Mermaid. In the trailer that was released, she stars Halle Bailey as Ariel. But the comments received by the popular production company are offensive and derisive because of her. black actress like the main character.

Out of the sea, I would like to be… part of this world.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26, 2023. pic.twitter.com/lUw5BmYRK5

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) September 9, 2022

However, the flurry of comments, heightened by the daily use of social media, is nothing new in the entertainment industry.

In recent years, many productions, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Woman King, and even House of the Dragon, have been criticized for the performance they wanted to achieve.

Simple fun versus reaction

But how did we go from just being entertaining to commenting and deleting TV content? “Today, reality shows reflect two problems. The first concerns the ability of the viewer to participate in the direct formation of the representation (positive or negative) of the television product. The possibility of direct participation is provided in the context of digital reality,” the message says. cathimerini.gr in Angeliki Ghazipsychologist and assistant professor of communication, media and culture at Panteillon University of Social and Political Sciences.

The second problem is related to emphasizing diversity, as well as changing stereotypes that cause different reactions in viewers. “Technologically driven change and an emphasis on emphasizing diversity, both characteristics of the 21st century, lead to a fluid identity that also translates into a negative attitude towards changes in traditional standards.”

What is “political correctness”

Indeed, streaming services have greatly helped the presentation on television and in films. What does “politically correct” mean?

“If we consider that the goal of mass culture is to identify the audience with the characters, then a discussion begins regarding “political correctness”, on the one hand, and the presentation of the traditional as everyday and “habitual”, on the other. . What leads to identification with characters? Is “political correctness” also “ordinary”?” Ms. Ghazi explains. “The answer will be given by audience research, and then the product will be shaped accordingly.”

The future of awakened culture

With the advent of social media and the political character it has acquired in recent times, terms such as “awakened culture“(action against what is not inclusive in terms of social exclusion and therefore action against racism and discrimination) and”cancel culture(cancellation culture).

And how will the future of awakened culture be shaped on television?

“We know and also observe that social volatility, successive social crises, individuality and narcissism are not conducive to inclusion. Societies become conservative as a reaction to the fact that identity becomes vulnerable. This is reflected in the reaction of the public, which is of course also expressed digitally,” says Ms. Ghazi.

And he adds: “As the age of the digital revolution and individual rights develops, these phenomena will intensify and affect the television product.”