Margot Robbie, the actor and executive producer behind the highly successful Barbie movie, has broken her silence on the controversial Oscar snubs that the film recently faced. The Greta Gerwig-directed ensemble comedy earned an impressive eight Oscar nominations, including prestigious categories such as Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Ryan Gosling, and Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera. However, the absence of Gerwig and Robbie in the Best Director and Lead Actress categories has stirred significant controversy within the film industry and beyond.
During a panel discussion at a special SAG movie screening, Robbie addressed the matter and expressed her thoughts on the Oscar snubs. Despite the disappointment, Robbie acknowledged the extraordinary achievements of the film in a competitive year for movies. She emphasized that Barbie aimed to make a lasting impact on culture and succeeded in doing so, going beyond their initial expectations. Robbie’s full comments on the matter reflect both gratitude and perspective:
“There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed. Obviously I think Greta should be nominated as a director because what she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing, what she pulled off, it really is. But it’s been an incredible year for all the films. I just suspect it’s bigger than us. It’s bigger than this movie; it’s bigger than our industry. [I am] beyond ecstatic that we’ve got eight Academy Award nominations. It’s so wild. Everyone getting the nods that they’ve had is just incredible, and the Best Picture nod. We set out to do something that would shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact. And it’s already done that, and some, way more than we ever dreamed it would. And that is truly the biggest reward that could come out of all of this.”
The Controversy Surrounding Barbie’s Snubs
While the film received acclaim and multiple nominations, the focus of controversy lies in the omission of Gerwig and Robbie from the Best Director and Lead Actress categories. Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera also shared their perspectives on the snubs, with Gosling highlighting the indispensable roles played by Gerwig and Robbie in the film’s success.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added her voice to the conversation, expressing support for the film on Twitter: “While it can sting to win the box office but not take home the gold, your millions of fans love you.” However, the tweet faced its own share of memes and discussions on social media.
Barbie emerged as the highest-grossing movie of 2023, amassing over $1.446 billion at the global box office. Despite the controversy surrounding the Oscar nominations, the film’s impact on audiences and the cultural landscape remains undeniable. The debate on social media reflects broader discussions about recognition for women in the film industry and the need to diversify the narrative to include more compelling female-directed movies.
As Barbie continues to stand out as one of the most influential movies of 2023, it remains to be seen how the controversy will shape the legacy of this cinematic phenomenon.
Why not check out: Barbie soundtrack: Every song from movie – is one song missing?
