Vaiana 2the new Disney Christmas, comes out this Wednesday, November 27. The title is not the same in France as in the United States.
In the United States, Vaiana, title of the film and first name of its heroine, is called Moana. In both cases, these are first names of Polynesian origin, since this cartoon takes place in the Pacific Islands. “Moana”, in Maori, means “ocean” while “Vaiana”, in Tahitian, means “rock water”. And the reason why “Moana” became “Moana” is crystal clear!
The reason is purely commercial. Because at the time of the film's release in 2016, Disney realized, by consulting the INPI (National Institute of Intellectual Property), that “Moana” was an already registered trademark. More than sixty times in fact for products ranging from bar-brewery to tanning salon, hairdresser and travel agency. And that was only for France!
A very famous “Moana” in Italy
For the same reasons, Spain replaced “Moana” with “Vaiana”. Same in Italy, but the explanation has absolutely nothing to do with it. Here, it's not “Vaiana” but “Oceania”.
There was already a well-known “Moana” in Italy, even very well-known, but not really Disney-compatible. She was a porn actress from the 80s and 90s: Moana Pozzi, who also had Polynesian origins.
The latter became famous in Italy well beyond her X-rated films. She had in fact co-founded, with the famous Cicciolinathe Party of Love and even ran for mayor of Rome. She also campaigned for better sex education, gay rights and the fight against the mafia. She eventually became a popular personality on talk shows because she was funny and witty.
Proof that she left a real mark in Italy, Disney decided to replace “Moana” with “Oceania”, even though the X actress died of cancer in 1994twenty-two years before the release of the cartoon. And Moana Pozzi had animated breasts too!
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