Something peculiar lurks in the shadows behind the critically acclaimed 2013 Sundance release Escape from Tomorrow. You can even make out the shape of two giant ears and a large white gloved hand forming one of the shadows. The story behind the film is a story surprisingly underreported by the mainstream press, and when it has found coverage since the film’s festival release it typically centers around expressions of shock and surprise at a filmmaker who would dare to cast Disney–yes, Disney–in anything other than a sugar-coated, happy-go-lucky light. This week was no different with the news that Escape from Tomorrow has found a distributor and is on its way to theaters across America. Shock and awe again. “No one really believes it will actually get released” and similar sentiments abound.
The response seems so much like the family and “friends” of Billy Mumy’s character Anthony in the classic episode of The Twilight Zone, “It’s a Good Life.” If you haven’t seen the episode, drop everything and get thee to a Netflix. Little, sweet boy Anthony has the power to destroy anyone around him and everyone treats him with love and care not because they want to but because they have to. Disney’s power is like that of Anthony, the Mob, the Crown, the Pope, the Company… all rolled into one. American families happily hand over their children to Disney as they would their church or pastor. After all Disney is all about “families,” isn’t it? They really do know best, don’t they? We’re safe leaving our kids in the care of Disney videos, right? Disney is synonymous with love.
