Context:

The live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' has sparked significant backlash, particularly concerning the altered ending where Nani leaves Lilo in Hawaii to study in San Diego. Director Dean Fleischer Camp addressed this criticism, suggesting that many detractors have not seen the film and misunderstand its intent. The revised ending aims to expand the concept of 'ohana by incorporating traditional Hawaiian values of collectivism and community, as emphasized by screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright. A new character, Tutu, embodies the Hawaiian practice of 'hanai', an informal adoption that prioritizes community care over blood ties. While acknowledging the challenges of remaking beloved films, Camp emphasizes the importance of telling an honest story about loss, resilience, and the role of community in ensuring no one is left behind.

Dive Deeper:

• The remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' has been commercially successful but has faced criticism for its changes, especially the new ending where Nani leaves Lilo to study marine biology, which deviates from the original storyline.

• Director Dean Fleischer Camp attributes much of the backlash to a misunderstanding, believing that many critics have not actually watched the film and therefore misconstrue its narrative and intentions.

• The film's ending was reimagined to reflect Hawaiian cultural values, focusing on the idea of 'ohana or family, which encompasses a broader sense of community responsibility, beyond just immediate family ties.

• Screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, who is Hawaiian, influenced the narrative by highlighting that in Hawaiian culture, community members, not just family, would step in to support children like Lilo and Nani.

• The introduction of the character Tutu, who takes Lilo in as 'hanai', represents a Hawaiian tradition of informal adoption based on love and community responsibility, which resonated well with Hawaiian audiences.

• Dean Fleischer Camp acknowledges the difficulty of meeting the expectations of fans of the original movie, emphasizing the need to create a story that goes beyond the original by addressing themes of loss and community resilience.

• The intention behind the changes was to provide an honest depiction of the challenges of losing everything and the enduring support of a community, ensuring that no one is left behind, akin to what happens in real-life scenarios.