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The Greatest Winter Film to Watch With the Children in Your Life
Frozen (Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, 2013)
Even now, twelve years later, Frozen is still one of Disney’s most popular films ever. Both girls and boys love it - which sadly is extremely unusual for a film centred around female characters. Children are still singing “Let It Go” at the top of their voice before they can even pronounce the words properly, imitating Elsa’s empowering moves.
I am certain that the reason for this enduring love is that this film strikes a deep chord of recognition in children. On the psychological level it shows them that it’s okay to make mistakes, and it reflects important aspects concerning the relationship between siblings and the fact that you sometimes hurt a sister or brother without meaning to.
In terms of depth psychology it presents two very strong archetypal female characters and illustrates to children how important it is to own their innate power.
If you have children, or grandchildren, or other children in your life, you can give both them and yourself the greatest Christmas gift by learning to understand the deeper layers of this film.
One very simple way of doing this is watching the film with them, then starting a conversation by asking (and listening intently and sincerely to their answers):
Who do you like better, Elsa or Anna?
Who do you think you resemble the most, Elsa or Anna?
Who would you most like to be like, Elsa or Anna? Why?
Then ask yourself the same questions and listen intently and sincerely to your own answers, and share your answers with the child.
I promise that this conversation will stay with them forever, empower them, and give them a deeper respect for you. For such is the power of the archetypes.
You can go further if you want and talk about the hero’s journey that each of the two girls has to go through in the course of the film (and in Frozen 2):
Elsa’s journey is about the importance of self-discovery and embracing our unique qualities. Anna’s journey is about learning the importance of resilience, loyalty, and kindness. In this film, the act of true love needed to lift the deadly spell is not a kiss from a man, but something much more enriching.
The magical and transformational power of stories and archetypes has been my most passionate interest since I was a little girl, and I know for sure how rewarding it can be to share this with children. I am constantly surprised by their wisdom to understand the deepest layers of meaning.
So what do you say? You want to waltz into Christmas and join me in singing “Let It Go” at the top of your voice, and truly owning your inner Elsa?
