At some point in your life, you may have wondered what your special gifts are—or when those talents are going to present themselves. You’ll feel an immediate kinship with Mirabel, the heroine of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest movie, Encanto, releasing November 24. This big-hearted young woman is the only member of her family who doesn’t seem to have any unique magical talents, but she discovers that she just might be the only one who can save her family and their magical home.
Set in Colombia, Encanto is the story of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains in a charmed place called Encanto. Magic pervades this unique area, and it has blessed every child in the Madrigal family with a unique gift. Everyone except for Mirabel, who must discover who she really is in order to help her family. “I am really excited for people to meet Mirabel,” says Charise Castro Smith (Co-Director/Writer, The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez) “I wanted to create a story about a girl who could not see her own worth. Mirabel’s journey is about her coming to embrace herself. It’s very moving when Mirabel can finally say, ‘I’m just as special as the rest of my family.’”
“I believe audience members will recognize a bit of themselves in Mirabel,” adds Jared Bush, Director/Screenwriter (Co-Director, Zootopia). “I know many people who feel as though they are surrounded by amazing people, but that they themselves are ordinary,” adds Byron Howard, Director (Zootopia, Tangled). “I think everyone can relate to the way Mirabel feels.”
Vivid, diverse, multicultural Colombia proved to be the perfect setting for the film. “Colombia is a fascinating blend of cultures, including African, Indigenous and European,” explains Castro Smith. “Encanto is ultimately about finding personal perspective, so we wanted a place that represented many different perspectives and traditions.”
When members of the creative team traveled to Colombia for research, they also discovered a huge variety of gorgeous environments. “We saw everything from 200-feet-tall palm trees to rain forest, desert and immense rock formations,” Howard says. “I came home so inspired by this wonderful country and its culture.”
Not only will the film make you feel as if you’ve traveled to this intriguing, beautiful country, but you’ll also walk away singing and humming its music, which is as colorful as the country itself. Emmy®, GRAMMY® and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana) has captured the country’s musical spirit in the eight songs he wrote for the film. “Colombian music is so diverse, it’s very freeing. Miranda’s songs reflect that freedom and joy,” Bush says. “His work is so much fun.”
You’ll also walk away smiling as you recall the personalities and antics of Mirabel’s 12-member family, who give Encanto a sense of love, playfulness and humor. “The actors elevated the Characters with unique personality quirks that add so much fun and color to the story,” says Bush.
To sum it up, the word “encanto”—which can mean charming, enchanted or magical—perfectly describes this delightful new film. Plan to experience it for yourself and take some time to be enchanted.
To join Mirabel on her musical, mirth-filled journey of self-discovery, use your Disney Rewards Redemption Card to redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward Disney movie tickets at AMCTheatres.com or on the AMC Theatres Mobile App.1 To learn more, visit DisneyRewards.com/AMCTheatres.
