'Shrek' director tackles taboo in Netflix fairy tale 'Spellbound'

Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.

While live-action kids' classics like "The Parent Trap" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" have used the concept to launch humorous antics, animation has tended to avoid the issue entirely.

"Isn't that funny... you can kill off a parent in a movie like 'Lion King' or 'Bambi,'" said Vicky Jenson, best known for co-directing "Shrek."

"Disney moms are often dead -- the only time anyone remarries is because the other spouse is dead. This topic of separation, of parents not being able to live together... it's taboo."

But in Jenson's new film, "Spellbound," a cruel spell transforms a princess's parents into literal monsters.

It is a symbolic device that forces young Ellian to try to "fix" her mother, father, and their broken family.

"We encountered some resistance when we were looking for someone to help bring the movie to the world, a partner to distribute the movie," Jenson told AFP.

"They all reacted the same way, like: 'What a beautiful movie, what a great message.' And then they ghosted us!"

The movie went through several studios, including Paramount and Apple TV+, before ultimately landing on Netflix, which will be released on Friday.

"I credit Netflix for stepping up bravely and partnering with us on this," said Jenson.

"In this environment, it does feel like stories that push the boundaries are more accessible on streaming.

"Theaters are filled with superheroes right now... the big safe bets."

- 'Monsters' -

As the film starts, tenacious teen princess Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler) is desperately seeking a cure for the mysterious spell that has transformed her parents, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman) and King Solon (Javier Bardem).

To make matters worse, she must hide the whole mess from the oblivious citizens of Lumbria.

When the secret is revealed, and panic spreads throughout the kingdom, Ellian is forced on a dangerous quest to undo the curse.

But even if she succeeds, she soon learns that her family may never return to how it once was.

To make Ellian's reaction to her -- literally -- monstrous parents believable and accurate, filmmakers employed the consulting services of a family psychologist and therapist who specialized in divorce.

"Kids feel like it's their responsibility to fix this. They don't understand that something happened to their parents -- they're acting like monsters," explained Jenson.

The director, cast, and crew also drew on their own experiences "because we all know our parents are monsters at one point—and as parents, we're all monsters at one point," she joked.

- An inverse 'Shrek'? -

The result is a thoroughly contemporary parable set in a magical fairytale kingdom.

That echoes Jenson's smash-hit directing debut "Shrek," but with cause and effect reversed.

"'Shrek' was the modern take on fairy tales. This was a fairy tale take on a modern story," she said.

For Jenson and the filmmakers—including legendary composer Alan Menken of "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," and countless others—it was essential to bring this "truth about family life" to the screen.

It "is there for so many of us, but hadn't been approached as a myth or a new fairy tale before," said Jenson.

"Now, a new fairy tale is out there for that experience that so many kids, parents, and families need help through."