Since 1959, children worldwide have been receiving the famous blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbie doll. While many consider styling and dressing these dolls as some of the most memorable parts of their childhoods, the live-action \u201cBarbie\u201d movie, released in cinemas in July 2023, shines a different light on the fuchsia-dressed figurines.<\/p>\n
Director Greta Gerwig gave the name Barbie a new countenance. Gerwig broke away from the one-dimensional stereotype that has long defined women and transformed the iconic doll into a symbol of self-empowerment. Actress Margot Robbie played the iconic role of Barbie in the film while guiding watchers through a journey of self-discovery.<\/p>\n
While Gerwig and Robbie left prevailing marks on the movie industry with their roles in \u201cBarbie,\u201d they were not recognized in Oscar nominations for Best Leading Actress and Best Director awards announced Jan. 23.<\/p>\n
Despite this lack of recognition, Gerwig and Robbie made powerful impacts on the movie industry by creating a groundbreaking movie about complex societal issues.<\/p>\n
The movie follows the journey of Barbie, played by Robbie, as she travels from her home in Barbie Land to the real world with Ken, played by Ryan Gosling. On a mission to heal the feelings of a human who used to play with her, Barbie learns that fault is inevitable and perfection is not the secret to happiness.<\/p>\n
While Barbie faces increasingly difficult challenges as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience, Ken learns how the patriarchy can work in favor and against men. After the Kens of Barbie Land become consumed by toxic masculinity, Ken and Barbie learn how important it is to appreciate life’s flaws as part of its beauty.<\/p>\n
Coming out of the theater, I was moved by the new outlook on my favorite childhood toy that \u201cBarbie\u201d provided. Months later, I woke up to the news of the Oscars failing to recognize \u201cBarbie\u201d for major awards.<\/p>\n
For outcomes such as promoting the idea of life’s imperfections being part of its beauty, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and its financial success, \u201cBarbie\u201d and its creators deserved to be nominated for major awards.<\/p>\n
Though neither Gerwig nor Robbie received nominations under the Best Actress and Best Director categories in the recent Oscars, both received other nominations alongside their husbands. Gerwig was named alongside her husband, Noah Baumbach, for Best Adapted Screenplay. In addition, Robbie was also recognized for Best Picture as a producer under her company which is co-founded with her husband Tom Ackerley, LuckyChap Productions.<\/p>\n
A male role being awarded over the leading female role for a movie about women being treated unfairly in society seems hypocritical to the film’s fundamental message. <\/p>\n