Hollywood was taken by surprise when the creators of 'Barbie,' Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, were snubbed by the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Actress. Instead, Ryan Gosling received a nomination for his role as Ken in the Oscar-nominated film.
The decision to overlook Gerwig and Robbie has led to theories ranging from sexism to snobbery within the industry. One Oscar voter expressed their disappointment, stating, 'Greta deserved the nomination... both she and Margot should have been nominated, but this is the world we still live in.' Another source in Hollywood categorized their omissions as a 'snub,' given that 'Barbie' made nearly $1.5 billion at the box office during a period of industry challenges.
Justine Triet, nominated for Best Director for 'Anatomy of a Fall,' voiced her surprise at being the only woman nominated in the category, stating, 'I was surprised because there are no more women beside me.' The lack of female representation in the directing category has raised concerns among industry professionals.
Actress America Ferrera, who received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in 'Barbie,' expressed her disappointment for Gerwig and Robbie, stating, 'Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it... What Margot achieved as an actress is truly unbelievable.' Ferrera also highlighted how Robbie's ease in her performances might have led people to underestimate her remarkable work.
Despite the nominations received by 'Barbie,' including Best Picture and Best Song, the exclusion of Gerwig and Robbie from the key categories of directing and lead actress has drawn criticism. Scott Feinberg, an awards expert, commented on the optics of the situation, noting that the film, which garnered critical acclaim and became a blockbuster hit, had its female creatives largely overlooked.
The limited number of women nominated for Best Director in the history of the Academy Awards is troubling. Out of the seven nominees, only three (Jane Campion, Chloé Zhao, and Kathryn Bigelow) have won the award. This lack of recognition for women directors underscores the need for greater representation and equality in the film industry.
It's worth noting that each branch of the Academy votes for its specific category, and the best director category is determined by a small portion of the entire Academy membership. The Academy still has progress to make, especially in diversifying its members and their perspectives.
Ryan Gosling, nominated for his portrayal of Ken, acknowledged the contributions of Gerwig and Robbie, stating, 'There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film.' Gosling's recognition of their essential roles in the success of 'Barbie' highlights the importance of acknowledging the entire creative team behind a film.
While the snub of Gerwig and Robbie may dampen the celebratory spirit of 'Barbie's' nominations, it also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equity in the film industry. The recognition and celebration of talented female directors and actresses should not be overshadowed or dismissed, as their contributions are crucial to the industry's growth and success.
Hopefully, the Academy will learn from this and consider the immense talent and impact that women in the industry, like Gerwig and Robbie, have when making their future nominations. It's time for the film industry to embrace inclusivity and recognize the outstanding work of women in all aspects of filmmaking.
