A Collaborative Study into Disney Pixar’s Soul
BY ASHLEY SALEM
Graphic by: NOISEmaker, Lyndsay Dunn
I'm delighted at the intricacies and giftings that each of us have. The small things that are truly beautiful in each of us. The things that often go un-noticed and sometimes the boldness and brightness we radiate can be seen for miles. Touching lives and making the world a better, more interesting, healed, and satiating place. Some would say, Soul did just that. Soul is Disney’s Pixar’s first movie that features a Black lead. Spoiler alert if you haven't seen the movie, you might want to watch it before continuing. Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner, a part-time jazz teacher who is still waiting for his break to play on the big stage. In this deep dive, I will address the technical components of the creation of the movie, meditation, birth, and death. As an avid tea drinker, the best thing you can do with a huge pot of fresh tea is to share it with someone special, so I brought some friends along. I will highlight the thoughts and perspective lens of professionals who agreed to indulge in reflection with me. In operating in each of our giftings and training, we will unbox this movie layer by layer.
Why different perspectives are healthy, when healthy.
And, why I brought the squad with me.
Each of us went through different things in our lives. Joys, triumphs, pains, and everything in the middle. How we have experienced each of these emotions is different. There is a beauty in that. Allowing us to connect with different people while when we are open to it, sharing their stories and cultivating new ideas. This is when collaboration is done in a healthy manner. Unfortunately when collaboration and sharing of ideas become unhealthy, it often appears as manipulation, jealousy, and dishonesty. During the creation of Soul, many people came together to create it. Each having a role to play in the finished product. So, in the spirit of collaboration and Black Girl Magic, I asked some pretty powerful women to reflect with me on this piece. Can’t wait to introduce them to you.
In order of reference:
A graphic designer, to expand on the visual construction and design elements available in the movie.
A fertility and birth doula, to expand on the spiritual nature of birth.
A birth and bereavement doula, to expand on the spiritual nature of death.
Disney Pixar’s first Black lead: Joe Gardner
A character that is a lead in a Disney film that hue matched my own and whose hair coiled in small tight curls was nice to see. Although he was animated, I appreciated that his character had facial features found in the Black community. Representation matters and I thought of the many little Black boys and girls who would see this movie, and see someone who looked like them in a non-stereotypical role.
In my excitement to see this character, I was caught mid grin when Joe turned nonhuman.
Still, Pixar hasn’t been successful in showing Black lead characters who get to stay in their Black bodies. The same thing can be said for Disney’s Princess and the Frog, featuring a beautiful Black princess, who is in the body of a frog for most of the movie. I also would love to see Black culture celebrated and displayed throughout the movie. We get a glimpse of this through jazz and the barbershop scene, but not the fullness that is highlighted throughout this film. In contrast, Disney’s Moana and Coco have vibrant moments of cultural dance, music, and history intertwined in the film providing a rich atmosphere for the characters to play.
Design and Graphics:
Reflections from Michaela Bradley
Follow Michaela Bradley at Painted Wolf Studio on Facebook, and on Instagram: Painted__Wolf
Michaela Bradley of Painted Wolf Studio is a local illustrator and graphic designer. Her work focuses on celebrating women of color and the use of bright colors and fun characters to celebrate being a black woman in the 21st century. Read as she speaks about the technical mechanics of visual art.
“Technically speaking, I would say that this is my favorite movie thus far. I appreciate the care and love they put into the models and into the lighting (see this video on Soul's lighting). I'm not totally in love with the plot as it was an interesting premise that wasn't effectively carried it. I'm still wondering how I managed to be bored during a movie exploring the concept of what happens before we're born. Also, it felt a bit messy, unfocused. I want to talk about the art direction and some of the artistic opportunities that were completely missed. Part of the draw of this movie was the fact that it features a Black character as the main character. I think part of what's bothering me about this movie is the fact that there wasn't more Black influence on the art direction. The Great Before is wonderfully abstract, and visually speaking, it's actually my favorite part of the movie. However, that abstraction could have been put to better use by incorporating more of the Black Culture. I think using some of the art styles from contemporary/modern Black artists would have been a more solid way to more meaningfully incorporate our culture. For a visual idea, think Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Gallery of Art. Black art traditionally has had some level of abstraction, and I can't understand why this or references to this did not end up in the final piece as the abstraction of the Great Before and the abstraction of our art seems to go together.”
Meditation and Mindfulness:
Reflections from Ashley Salem
Photo credit: Diana Simumpande
The space between the breath of creation entering our physical bodies is referred to in this movie as The Great Before. I love this phrasing. The movie presented an intriguing take on the journey of a soul. Before having a body assigned, the soul plays. The soul tries new things, without having the senses of the human experience. What captivated me most about the movie, was how being in the present moment was represented. In the area of mindfulness, being in the present moment is something that is very useful. The ability to assess and notice how you feel, and how your body is responding to past events and future anticipations, allows you to differentiate between yesterday, tomorrow, and what is happening right now. From my lens as a Meditation Guide and CBT Practitioner of Benevolence Disposition, meditation is my favorite mindfulness tool. Being that there are many types of meditation from movement to eating in this movie, meditation is referenced as “being in the zone”. For those who are new to mindfulness and meditation, I felt the movie did a wonderful job of making the concepts accessible. The moment of letting go of expectations, worry, timelines, and to-do lists. Being fully available to fully experience what is happening in this very moment. Using all your senses, and noticing your breath. Mindfulness, in the way (a key character), tasted pizza for the first time... And, when Joe played the piano not only from his training and practice but from his heart and soul.”
Purpose, spark:
Reflections from Ashley Salem
Photo credit: Jakob Owens
When 22 (one of the main characters) was in the ‘Great Before’, 22 was not being able to gain a sense of purpose and conviction until meeting Joe. On a deeper level, although in this realm on earth we are not in the Great Before, 22's plight was not an uncommon one. We have all struggled with a sense of identity and belonging. The opportunity here is while we have our physical bodies, to explore and get comfortable with who we are, who we really are. To be courageous in that pursuit. To ask ourselves the hard question about what we want, why we want it, and are we ready and even willing to study and train to fulfill that purpose. This is not easy, yet it is what our souls crave the most. It requires honesty within ourselves and healthy boundaries. Because this is not easy, many times as humans we distract ourselves instead. Some even do so for their entire lifetime. And just like 22 before receiving Joe's body, some keep trying different things yet don’t have the sense of who identity. The twist here is it’s a lot easier to distract oneself, when the soul has a body and senses. The distractions available in the pursuit of our true identity will camouflage themselves as new opportunities or ways to cope. But they can show up as compulsive drug use, intentionally working or exercising for long hours in an attempt to avoid reflective time, revolving nonintimate sexual partners, binge eating or restrictive eating, alcoholism, alarming amounts of video/online game playing, TV/News watching, and social media scrolling. A void that is hungry and whose appetite cannot be satiated. Many times, resulting in feelings of depression which is displayed in the movie as the land of lost souls. In the movie, Joe’s and 22’s journey are resilient. Coming full circle and understanding they have a purpose. And there it is, being able to enjoy the wonderment life has to offer, while caring for and nurturing the soul. Loving the soul in a way that doesn't leave it longsome, and doesn't require it to be sacrificed on the altar of perpetual distraction.
The spiritual nature of birth:
Reflections from Doula Jazzmine Brooks
Follow Jazzmine Brooks at Jai Olive Wellness on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The ‘Great Before’ is the structure housing and preparing souls before entry. Once the soul has a body, we see 22 have a full spectrum experience. Outside of the movie, how do we experience this newness of life. Jazzmine Brooks (she, they) "the Rural Black Doula" is the owner of Jai Olive Wellness. She is a full-spectrum Doula, meaning she assists in preparing for pregnancy, during birth, and post-partum. Jazzmine became a doula to support historically marginalized rural families in the Midwest, bring their narratives to the national discussion around Black maternal health. Read as she speaks about the spiritual component of childbirth.
“As a doula one of the few things they teach us is to cover our head. We help to usher in a new life and the birth space is holding space for energy. That energy transfers between the birth parent, baby, and anyone present. That is why the birth space needs to be quiet, clean, and calm. We see many traditions play out from our original birth workers - Granny Midwives. Traditions of 'covering' the baby and caring for the birth parent through healing traditions such as herbalism and belly binding. I have my own spiritual-based traditions before and after a birth. I give my clients healing crystals and have them write intentions during their fertility and pregnancy. This is to help them focus on their goals, bond with their baby, and set a 'covering' for the new life they are bringing into the world.”
The spiritual nature of death:
Reflections from Nurse Lydia Robinson
Follow Lydia Robinson Twitter and IG @laboredwithlove. Facebook: Labored with Love: Let’s have A Baby!
When Joe almost dies from falling into the manhole, he winds up on somewhat of a conveyer belt heading to The Great Beyond. Had this been a different movie and he wasn’t able to get off that track. What would have happened in the transition to The Great Beyond? Lydia Robinson is a Registered Nurse specializing in labor and delivery. She is the Birth and Bereavement Doula and owner of Labored With Love. After attending over 2,000 births including water births and caesarian births, Lydia shared with me her thoughts on birth and death.
“I do believe there is a spiritual aspect to both childbirth and death. Life itself is a spiritual connection to God so whether the soul is entering the world or leaving it that experience will be spiritual. The purpose of childbirth is to usher new life into the world. At the age of 8 through open conversations about birth with my mother God revealed to me the miracle of life. It was at this time I recognized how precious and sacred it was and that the process of bringing like (pregnancy and childbirth) is to be respected and honored. Life is pure and has a Holy origin, although in today’s world its value and importance are diminished. We commonly overlook God’s intentions for this beautiful process. These conversations are where my passion was ignited and has continued to grow throughout the years. To me every aspect of childbirth is a spiritual connection to our creator. That said at the same hand when life leaves the world there is also a spiritual aspect as the soul makes that next transition. “
Photo credit: Clarke Sanders
Closing thoughts by Ashley Salem
Disney’s Pixar Soul has been fun to unbox. I’m glad to hear perspectives of other women and professionals and enjoyed preparing this reflection for our readers. We examined the excitement of representation and the blunders of not staying human and our culture not fully reflected. Michaela highlighted the technical and graphic angle of what produced a beautiful visual experience. I expanded on the value of meditation and purpose in contrast to distraction. Jazzmine and Lydia shared with us the intricate and intimate nature of life and death. When Joe receives his second chance, he is asked what he will do with it. In his reply, he answers with fullness, “I’m not sure, but I do know I’m gonna live every minute of it.” We are still in this pandemic. We are still all fighting so much. If we only can have joy and fulfillment once we have everything exactly how and when we want it, we will be left wanting. I’m giving you permission to live. To renew that invitation every day. One foot in front of the other, slowing down to enjoy each opportunity, to nurture our souls.