The Mojo Dojo Casa Oscars are making headlines once again, and this time, it’s all about the glaring snubs surrounding the movie “Barbie,” which earned eight nominations, including Best Picture. However, director Greta Gerwig, the mastermind behind its unique and wildly popular vision, and lead actress Margot Robbie, who portrayed the iconic Barbie, were shockingly overlooked. This oversight is more than a mere disappointment; it reflects the pervasive influence of patriarchy in our culture, making it undeniably challenging for women to receive fair recognition.
While “Barbie” secured nods for Best Supporting Actress (America Ferrera) and Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling), the absence of Gerwig and Robbie from the director and lead actress categories is a perplexing and frustrating omission. The film’s central theme, ingrained patriarchy, seemingly extends to the awards ceremony itself.
Despite Robbie’s nomination as a producer for “Barbie” and Gerwig’s nod for Best Adapted Screenplay, the snubs remain infuriating. Gerwig, who previously earned a Best Director nomination for “Lady Bird” but faced a similar exclusion for “Little Women,” even set a record for the highest-grossing female-directed film at the domestic box office. Yet, recognition from the Academy remains elusive.
The social media sphere quickly ignited with outrage over these oversights, with author Brad Meltzer humorously pointing out, “Nominating Ken but not Barbie is literally the plot of the movie.” Even Stephen King weighed in on the controversy, emphasizing the film’s history-making and globally-celebrated status.
Ryan Gosling acknowledged the honor of his nomination but underscored the crucial roles of Gerwig and Robbie in creating the groundbreaking film. He expressed pride in portraying Ken but emphasized that there is no Ken without Barbie and no “Barbie” movie without Gerwig and Robbie.
The dissonance between Best Picture and Best Director categories is not a new phenomenon, but “Barbie” intensifies the issue. Every frame of the film feels like a Gerwig creation, blurring the lines between director and picture. The imbalance in the Best Director category, with only one woman nominated, underscores the ongoing struggle for gender parity in the film industry.
While Justine Triet’s nomination for “Anatomy of a Fall” is commendable, it pales in comparison to the monumental impact of “Barbie.” The historical underrepresentation of female directors at the Oscars is evident, with only eight women nominated in the category in the 96-year history of the ceremony.
Gerwig, who hoped “Barbie” would be an invitation for everyone to be part of the gender parity conversation, finds herself once again facing a reality where the industry struggles to embrace more than one outstanding female director at a time. As the dust settles on this year’s Oscars, the hope for a more inclusive celebration of cinematic achievements remains deferred.