I was born in Puerto Rico and spent half my childhood in “La Isla del Encanto” or the enchanted island as it is called. Years later, while in the U.S., I married into a large, multigenerational Ecuadorian family. So, when I first heard about the movie, Encanto, about a Colombian family, I was sold. It was the 60th film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the first to feature an all-Latino cast, seeking to honor South American culture and showcase Afro-Latino representation. Fellow Puerto Rican and lyrical genius, Lin-Manuel Miranda, wrote the songs for the Disney film, sparking my curiosity even more. I admit I am not a diehard Disney fan, but it is almost impossible to avoid their movies when you have young children. Thankfully, Encanto got a lot of things right. As a Latina, I appreciated the authenticity of the colorful characters and the thought-provoking, original soundtrack. As a Muslim, I welcomed the lessons about upholding family ties and celebrating each member’s unique role and talents. Encanto is a story with valuable lessons that explores intergenerational trauma and how it shapes our families.
But First, a Disclaimer
As a disclaimer, I must add that the story revolves around magic, as almost all Disney tales do, and it contains elements of Afro-Latino superstitions and brujería or witchcraft. But, we won’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no. At least not for now (read more about the characters below). Although there are themes that do not necessarily align with Islam, there are many teachable moments and opportunities to introduce your child or children to aspects of Colombian culture and history. Aside from the magical and occult references, there are also scenes depicting persecution, displacement, and genocide – issues that similarly plague the global Islamic community. You may want to keep the remote in hand in case you need to pause to discuss certain scenes with your children. There is no gore, but one character is killed off screen.
You should also know that Encanto is an animated musical with plenty of Colombian folk music and rhythmic styles like vallenato, bambuco, mapalé, and cumbia along with dance numbers. Your family may find it difficult not to move to the beat of these catchy songs, so the mute button may come in handy if you prefer to avoid all music. However, be sure to keep the subtitles turned on because the lyrics are critical to understanding the rest of the story. Some of the most meaningful songs to look out for are “Surface Pressure (Under the Surface),” “Waiting on a Miracle,” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
La Familia Madrigal
Encanto is the story of the Madrigal family – its brave matriarch named Alma, her triplets, and their offspring. We learn that shortly after Alma and her husband welcome their babies, their village is raided. The young family is forced to flee and after crossing a river, Alma’s husband is killed. This leaves Alma devastated and forced to raise her three newborn children, two girls and one boy, alone. We do not learn about the attackers or their motives, but given Colombian history, the incident may refer to the political unrest of the late 19th or early 20th centuries. The film, instead, focuses on how the family dealt with the trauma and moved on. Alma is left a refugee and widow, and as she mourns her loss, a miracle is born in the shape of a candle that burns continuously. This candle grants her descendants special “gifts” or powers to help the family and their surrounding community. Another part of the miracle is the Madrigal home, La Casa Madrigal, which is a 3-story, magical Spanish-style hacienda. More than a home, the so-called Casita is a character, interacting with the Madrigals, almost like another relative.
Each of Alma’s triplets is given a gift – Pepa’s moods can alter the weather, Julieta can heal ailments with her cooking, and Bruno … no one likes to talk about Bruno because he can predict future events and unfortunately, his less than favorable predictions come true. Bruno is the outcast of the family who lives in hiding to avoid causing trouble. His two sisters are married and have children of their own – all of whom are given gifts except for Julieta’s youngest daughter, Maribel. No one knows why she does not receive part of the miracle. Her grandmother tries to sweep the issue under the rug, but when Maribel notices that the house is cracking and that the miracle is in danger, Alma is forced to come to terms with the reality that her family is not so perfect. The story revolves around finding out what exactly Maribel’s role is in the Madrigal family and how they can preserve the miracle.
Birth order: Shaping Personality and Experiences
Is your first child a perfectionist? Does he/she tend to be the overachiever of the house? Is your second child an adventurer? Does he/she find it difficult to sit still? If you are a mom of multiple children, then you have noticed their behavior patterns and personalities are very different. One of the highlights of Encanto is seeing the family dynamics and the distinct personality traits of each character based on their birth orders. Maribel is the baby of Julieta’s family; because she does not have a gift, no one expects much from her. The eldest, Isabella is the typical pampered firstborn. Her gift is growing flowers and she earns the admiration of the village for her beauty and flawless nature. Luisa, the middle child, has the gift of strength. She is always on the go, handling task after task without complaining. Both girls are secretly breaking under the pressure of unhealthy expectations.
It was Dr. Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Sigmund Freud, and the founder of the school of individual psychology, who suggested that birth order influences personality. He said, “It is a common fallacy to imagine that children of the same family are formed in the same environment. Of course, there is much which is the same for all in the same home, but the psychic situation of each child is individual and differs from that of others, because of the order of their succession” (Adler, In: Problems of Neurosis: A Book of Case Histories. 1964, p. 96). To put it simply, Adler thought that the order in which each child comes into the family is a predictor of their behavior even as an adult. It is interesting to see this theory play out in Encanto. The pressure placed on the younger family members is reminiscent of what we often see with the youth in the Muslim community.
Eventually, all the characters must come to terms with their limitations, realize their value, and work together to save their home. if you are looking for a family-friendly movie that provides some educational opportunities while being mindful that this is a Disney animated musical, then Encanto may be an option. The moral of the story is in line with Islamic values like honoring parents, neighborliness, and upholding the ties of kinship. In the end, we learn that the real miracle of the Madrigal family is its members. Their very existence is a miracle, and each of them contributes to strengthening their family and community.
Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (including a teen and tweens). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, Inc., a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam and culture in Spanish. She is also the Spanish content coordinator for the Islamic Circle of North America’s WhyIslam Project and has also written, illustrated, and published a dozen children’s books. Díaz lives with her husband and family in Maryland.
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