Plastic fantastic

"Why didn't Barbie tell me about patriarchyA system of society where men hold power and women are excluded. ?" Ken asks a passer-by heatedly. Later, he shares his new knowledge proudly with his fellow Kens: "Everything, basically everything, exists to expand and elevate the presence of men."

The hit blockbusterA product, especially a film, that is a big success commercially. Barbie, which drew record numbers to cinemas last summer, tells the story of a fictional Barbie world run by women. But when Ken travels to the Real World and brings patriarchy back with him, their society is thrown into conflict.

It was the year's highest earning film. But for many, it was a much greater cultural phenomenon. Many connected with its playful but still hard-hitting treatment of everyday sexism. It was expected to win big in this year's award season.

But instead, fans were left with a bitter irony. Whilst  director Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, who played the film's protagonistMain character., were both snubbed, the Academy did nominate Ryan Gosling's Ken - the film's male lead.

It is one of the biggest snubsIgnoring or treating rudely. in recent history. Social media users rushed to accuse the awards of sexism. After all, Gerwig was not the only successful female director who failed to achieve a nomination: Celine Song and Ava DuVernay, who directed two of the most highly-acclaimed films of last year, also missed out.¹

In nearly 100 years of the Oscars, only three women have won the award for Best Director. Only eight women have ever been nominated, compared to 450 nominations which went to male directors. This year, only one woman is nominated.

As many have pointed out, the Academy does not traditionally favour box office smashes. In fact, over the last two decades, blockbusters have rarely received top awards at the ceremony. Instead, films regarded as particularly socially important or artistically innovativeFeaturing new ideas or original thinking. are rewarded.

Barbie was clearly a huge success with cinema-goers. But was it an artistic triumph? For industry bigwigsImportant people. , the film was nothing more than a boost to the box office. But as a cultural moment, it clearly spoke deeply to some women's experiences.

Many have been quick to point out that Barbie still secured an impressive eight nominations - hardly what you would call "snubbed". But others note that fellow blockbuster Oppenheimer, with its almost all-male cast, is in the running for 13 awards. Are women's stories simply seen as less valuable?

Is the patriarchy fighting back?

Yes: Barbie was an unmatched cultural phenomenon this year. Its influence has been clear to see. The Academy failing to acknowledge this shows that sexist attitudes still exist.

No: Barbie clearly had widespread appeal, but it was ultimately not a huge artistic achievement. Just because something is mainstream and commercially successful, it does not mean it deserves accolades for being a great film.

Or... The decision may not be sexist, but it is clearly tone deafNot understanding or lacking insight into how people feel about something. . The Academy should be rewarding Barbie for driving audiences back to cinemas after the pandemic.