All round
‘Moana’ title changed in Italy to ‘avoid confusion with famous porn star’
In Italy, Disney has renamed its next animated film “Moana” to “Oceania.”
The majority of Italians believe that the late Moana Pozzi, one of the country’s most popular porn actresses, was the catalyst for the move.
Moana Pozzi, who died in 1994 at the age of 33, was well-known in Italy, with fans of all ages and genders. Guardami, directed by Davide Ferrario, is one of many biopics on Pozzi’s life that have been released.
While Disney Italy has not commented on the name change, Davide Romani, the company’s head of theatrical marketing in the country, admitted to “thinking about this issue” during a meeting with Italian exhibitors last year. Shortly after, Disney released the first Italian poster for the film, titled “Oceania.”
“The studio frequently changes titles in foreign territories for a wide variety of reasons,” a Disney insider in California stated.
Trending:
- Meghan Markle Steals the Spotlight Again: A Royal Engagement Gone Awry
- “Harry and Meghan’s Tense Moment: A Marriage Under Scrutiny”
- Tension Unveiled: Frances Marquez’s Discontent with Meghan Markle in Colombia
- Elton John’s Scathing Remarks Leave Meghan Markle in Tears at Music Awards
- Meghan Markle’s On-Set Outburst: A Diva in Disguise?
The film’s directors allegedly acknowledged the late porn star’s influence at this year’s Annecy Festival, according to secondhand sources.
“There are two very simple reasons for the title change,” said an Italian marketing expert who did not want to be identified. “One is that if you type ‘Moana’ and do a Google search in Italy you risk coming up with porn videos. And it’s very expensive and a waste of money to try and change that.”
It remains to be seen whether the reports are accurate: According to The Telegraph, a blogger contacted Cartoonbrew.com and said that Pozzi “played a big part in the decision” to rename the film.
“On a mystic island in Polynesia, the 16-year-old strong-willed daughter of the chief of the tribe, Moana from Motunui Island, is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite the Heart of Te Fiti,” according to the film’s story summary. “She sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod and hopes to save her people.”
It’s not uncommon for an American picture to be renamed in another country—in fact, Zootopia is known as Zootropolis in the United Kingdom—but what’s perplexing here is why Italian execs picked Oceania instead of Vaiana, which is the film’s title in several other European nations.
The Disney picture “Oceania,” as it is now known in Italy, will be released in Italian theaters on December 22, one day before its debut in the United States.
