sharktale in hot water

[Hero1]

'Shark Tale' Puts DreamWorks in Hot Water
Fri, Apr 02, 2004, 08:04 AM PT


LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - After the Italic Institute of America complained that DreamWorks' upcoming "Shark Tale" depicted Italians poorly -- as evil sharks with ties to the mob -- the studio changed one character's name from Don Brizzi to Don Feinberg.
But that was just the beginning. According to the AP, John Mancini, founder of the Institute says, "We want character names identified as Italian dropped, the mannerisms, the forms of speech should be dropped. If they choose to make them Jewish or Rastafarians, we don't like that either, but our bag is Italians."

The CG-animated "Shark Tale" centers on a little fish voiced by Will Smith who takes credit for "whacking" a shark gangster, who was in reality killed accidentally by a ship's anchor. The tall tale draws the attention of fellow aquatic criminals bent on revenge.



Robert DeNiro, Michael Imperiori and Vincent Pastore -- all known for portraying Italian gangsters -- supply the voices of the distinctly Italian fish with evil intentions. "Godfather" director Martin Scorsese voices an evil blowfish.

Mancini says his group is concerned that younger viewers will begin to associate Italians with being dumb thugs or murderous mobsters.

DreamWorks spokesperson Terry Press responds, "You wish they would wait until they'd seen the movie before attacking it." "Shark Tale," which is scheduled for release this fall, has not yet finished with final production. The Italic Institute has not read the script, and no trailer has appeared in theaters yet.

Press adds that the film "is about family and telling the truth and the cost of telling a lie," and the film's humor relies on poking fun at stereotypes.

The Italic Institute was formed in 1987 and only boasts a relatively small 1,000 members. Its study of at least 1,233 films with Italian themes shows that approximately 69 percent depict Italians negatively, with 40 percent featuring mob characters, much higher than the percentage of real Italian-Americans criminals.

"Shark Tale," also starring the voice talents of Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger, Jack Black and Peter Falk, is scheduled for release on Friday, Oct. 1.

[Hero1]

i think its pretty ridiculous criticising a movie you havent even seen

[JumpinJack AJ]

Yeah, the people seem a lil' over sensitive. U can complain about just about anything these days.

[Jazzy Julie]

thats really dumb, its just a kids movie, how is that offensive. Im sure the Italian actors that did the voices wernt offended by it. Some ppl take this rasism and equalilty thing too far.

if your gonna complain, complain about all the violent mob movies there are not an animation.

[WildWildWillennium]

Exactly. Changing the title from SharkSlayer 2 Shark Tale, and now this. If this movie`s humor is relied on poking fun at stereotypes, so be it! Changing something so drastic can cause the movie 2 change completely.

:boxing:

[spin]

That's such a shame, making a big deal over something so little. It's a kids movie they wouldn't even notice that they were italian, it's just meant to be fun!

[sexywshgirl]

Critics always gotta find something to write about and it aint usually too nice. Get over it!