Barbie, starring Margot Robbi, Ryan Gosling and a bunch of talented actors, directed by Greta Gerwig, became a major success both at the box office and in changing perceptions in Hollywood.
The film, the biggest box office success of 2023, surpassed $1.4 billion in revenue, becoming the only 53rd film ever to pass the billion mark at global box office, and as well been making headlines ever since its release for its impact on the industry’s attitude towards women in key roles.
Greta Gerwig became the only women director in cinema’s history to top the global box office that was helmed by a female. Before ‘Barbie’, the entire history of Hollywood’s film industry saw the top-grossing films of the year were either directed entirely be men or had men as co-directors.
2023’s ‘Barbie’ became the only film to be solely directed by a female to achieve the feat of being the biggest hit at the global box office.
The movie started so many cultural, consumerism, feminism, patriarchy, women-in-industry, and many more debates all around the globe.
So, it wasn’t just the box office records that were shattered, ‘Barbie’ shattered many cultural doubts and misinformation with a film that had comedy, fun and chills but with the most important messages delivered with the overall package.
Despite all that, the film, though seen as one of the “Best Film” of the year 2023, failed in getting a nod for Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie a Best Director and Best Actress nominee at the Oscars 2024, a snub that has since started another dialogue in the industry, on the social media and almost everywhere.
Jodie Foster recently reacted how the success of ‘Barbie’ has shifted the industry’s perspective on women, highlighting the change from viewing them as a risk to entrusting them with important projects. Foster specifically mentioned how Greta Gerwig was given a prominent position, symbolized by being handed “the keys to the kingdom” and significant financial support for her work on the film.
In an interview with Variety she stated, “In the old days, they saw women as a risk. Not sure why they saw us as a risk — 50% of the population! That thinking has changed now. With a big success like ‘Barbie,’ they gave Greta Gerwig, who had made two mostly independent films, they gave her the keys to the kingdom and said ‘We’re going to give you our most important child’ and all the money to support it. That’s new for women. I hope that continues.”
Michelle Yeoh expressed regret that Margot Robbie was not nominated for Best Leading Actress for her role in ‘Barbie’, considering its popularity and acclaim and especially since the film received a nomination for Best Picture.
“You do think, ‘How do you get nominated for best picture but not best director and not best actress?’ It happens and I’m sorry it happened to them because it’s obviously one of the most successful and beloved movies,” said Michelle Yeoh as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The media has also highlighted this discrepancy, questioning how a movie can be nominated for Best Picture without any nominations for its director and lead actress.
In other news, ‘Barbie’ is making a comeback to US theatres on this Friday for a week only. The film is also seeing a release in new markets like Brazil from Thursday as well.
Well that is one way to keep going despite industry doing its things like the same old days.