‘Barbie’ Oscars Snubs Spark Backlash, Ken and Hillary Join In

In 2023, the film “Barbie” emerged as a phenomenal success, becoming the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman and sparking a cultural movement that transformed movie theaters into a sea of pink and generated a continuous stream of thought-provoking articles. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this feminist masterpiece earned eight Academy Awards nominations, including best picture.

Despite its success, “Barbie” was overshadowed at the box office by “Oppenheimer.” Controversy arose when the Academy Awards overlooked Gerwig for best director and Margot Robbie for best actress. This perceived snub was criticized by many, including Ryan Gosling, who played Ken in the film. He expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the indispensable roles of Gerwig and Robbie in the film’s success.

The controversy quickly entered the political arena, with figures like Hillary Clinton commenting on social media, sparking widespread internet debates. Clinton’s post, referencing Gerwig and Robbie, underscored the widespread appreciation for their work despite the lack of awards recognition.

As the Oscars approached, the host Jimmy Kimmel also commented on the snub during his show, highlighting the irony in Gosling’s nomination for Ken while Robbie and Gerwig were overlooked. This disparity in nominations, particularly when considering the Academy’s history of underrepresenting women in filmmaking, sparked discussions about gender bias in the industry.

Gerwig has previously been at the center of this issue, being only the fifth woman nominated for best director in 2018. Since then, there have been other female winners in this category, but Gerwig’s unique achievement is that all three of her solo-directed films have been nominated for best picture. Gerwig and her husband Noah Baumbach received a nomination for best adapted screenplay for “Barbie,” and Robbie was nominated as a producer for best picture.

Public reactions to the snubs varied, with some commentators questioning whether the film’s popularity, particularly among women, or its aesthetic choices might have influenced the Academy’s decisions. Others pointed out the changing demographics of the Academy, with a more international voter base possibly favoring European filmmakers.

Despite these snubs, the Academy did make history with three films directed by women nominated for best picture. However, the exclusion of Gerwig and Robbie from key categories has been widely criticized, with some activists and public figures voicing their disappointment on social media.

The Oscars often see campaigns gain momentum following notable snubs, as was the case with Ben Affleck’s “Argo.” Whether “Barbie” will experience a similar surge in support remains a key question leading up to the awards ceremony. Prominent figures like Billie Jean King have expressed their admiration for the film and Gerwig’s talent, adding to the ongoing debate surrounding the nominations.