Barbie entered theatres worldwide at the end of July, and pink-adorned crowds piled in to see one of the biggest advertised films of the year. Exploring ideas of sexism, patriarchy and equality, Barbie playfully comments on the experiences of women in Western society.
Barbie is the fourth film solely directed by Greta Gerwig, an American actress, screenwriter and director. The film joins Gerwig’s Lady Bird, Little Women (2019) and Nights and Weekends.
After 17 days in theatres, Barbie hit $1 billion in box office sales, making Gerwig the first woman to solo-direct a billion-dollar film.
Stereotypical Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, faces a malfunction and has to travel to the real world to retrieve help. When leaving behind BarbieLand, which is run by women, Barbie faces challenges encountering the realities of patriarchal sexism on Earth.
Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, insists on going with her. Upon reaching Earth, Ken sees men ruling the world. Absorbing patriarchal ideals, Ken implements the patriarchy in BarbieLand, where he and the other Kens take over.
When the Barbies led BarbieLand, the Kens were mildly ignored but listened to the Barbies. Comparatively, the Kens subjected the Barbies to servitude.
With help from real-world friends, the Barbies learn the harmful effects of a patriarchal society. Using knowledge and political action, the Barbies reunite to reclaim their world while creating a new space for men.
The film highlights how the Barbies can only create harmony with the Kens by celebrating everyone’s inherent worth.
Girlhood is a theme in Barbie that’s been highlighted on various social media platforms.Women across the world watched a movie centred around their lifelong struggles and experiences of sexism, all while matching in pink.
Issues addressed in the film, like catcalling, were extremely relatable. Gerwig managed to point out how odd these types of experiences really are.
The film explains that the Barbie doll was created for little girls to see themselves as whoever they dream of being: mothers, astronauts and politicians alike.
The film Barbie has a clear message: no matter what someone does for their job, being human is enough.
The cinematography, outfits and set were campy, bringing liveliness into Barbie. Iconic scenes featured songs from legendary artists, like “Journey To The Real World” by Tame Impala.
Consisting of poofy skirts, classic heels and, of course, pink, the cast’s costumes created an immersive experience. Hairstyles incorporated slick updos and colouring for a youthful effect.
Seamlessly weaving themes of sexism and societal reflection, Gerwig’s Barbie holds a powerful mirror to the real world, offering both nostalgia and commentary on gender dynamics.
Barbie reminds viewers what it feels like to experience sexism and learn about feminism at a young age. Perhaps, this is precisely what Gerwig intended.
Featured image from IMDb.
