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Barbie Oscars Controversy: Were Gerwig and Robbie Really Snubbed?

Olivia Warburton
pink barbie logo against low light

Olivia Warburton 

Since its release, there has rarely been a week where the Barbie (2023) movie has not been a hot topic of conversation. From box office domination to critical acclaim, Greta Gerwig’s ode to girlhood has become a cult classic.

The impact of the film is perhaps why there has been an outpouring of frustration following the absence of Gerwig and the film’s leading lady, Margot Robbie, from this year’s Oscars’ Best Director and Best Actress categories. What’s more, Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken having earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor appears to be adding fuel to the fire.

The alleged snubs have got many people talking. Self-proclaimed film lovers on social media, other actors and even politicians have contributed to the debate. The internet is certainly divided on the matter. There is debate around whether this is misogyny or if Gerwig and Robbie were even deserving of nominations amongst this year’s competitive pool of talent. The reaction that has ensued has been labelled ‘white feminism’.

What is ‘White Feminism’?

‘White feminism’ can be considered a branch of second-wave neoliberal feminism. It describes situations where characteristics beyond gender, most notably race, are ignored when it comes to feminist activism. It is usually exhibited by white, middle-class, cis-gendered feminists – those who are often the loudest in feminist conversations. But these feminists also cherry-pick when to be vocal, being ignorant of the struggles of less-privileged women. 

Many people have called the scale of the reaction to Gerwig and Robbie’s snubs a prime example of ‘white feminism’. Take US politician Hillary Clinton, for example. She has taken to social media to express how she stands with the director and actress.

The former First Lady has remained silent about other feminist causes as of late, most notably the women who are suffering amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which poses much graver consequences than a celebrity missing out on winning a gold statue.

A war and the Academy Awards are two vastly different scenarios and comparing society’s reaction to each could be seen as inequitable. But ‘white feminism’ can also be identified when examining the trending topics from this year’s Oscars alone.

Lily Gladstone became the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress. Greta Lee was also snubbed in the eyes of many from the Best Actress category. Even America Ferrera’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the very movie at the heart of this controversy has been overlooked, with the spotlight instead being shone on the afflictions of white women over the accomplishments and misfortunes of women of colour. 

But white feminism is only one of the layers to this multifaceted debate.

The World Isn’t Black or White, But It Isn’t Pink Either

Context is key when analysing the situation. On the surface, it appears to be as simple, and as paradoxical, as Ken being nominated for a movie about Barbie, thus undermining the point of the movie itself. But, in reality, the situation isn’t as clear cut. 

Gosling was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, a category that cannot be compared directly to Best Actress. And one that had an entirely different roster of talent competing for a nomination. Therefore, is there credibility in the argument that his nomination is unfair just because Robbie missed out?

“There is no such thing as a ‘snub'”

Gerwig’s absence from the Best Director category, however, could be an example of women being overlooked, depending on the lens you view it through. The Academy has a murky history when it comes to giving female directors their flowers in what is supposed to be a genderless category, with data revealing just seven women received nominations in the category over the last 20 years.

Barbie without doubt altered society’s current outlook of feminism in popular culture. Arguably, that couldn’t have happened without Gerwig behind the wheel. However, being impactful may be enough for a movie to be nominated for Best Picture, which Barbie has been, but not necessarily Best Director.

The discourse arguing if this is or isn’t a sexist snub is unlikely to be halted. But it is interesting to consider if something can even be snubbed at all. 

Is There Even Such Thing As An Awards ‘Snub’?

In response to the situation, actress and member of the Academy board Whoopi Goldberg suggested there is no such thing as a ‘snub’. Taking to the US chatshow The View, Goldberg said: “There are no snubs. That’s what you have to keep in mind. Not everybody gets a prize, and it is subjective.”

To some degree, she is right. Art is subjective, and cinema is no different. Everybody is entitled to their own opinions and what one critic raves about another may tear apart. It is important to preface that some scenarios are more nuanced than others. Who’s to say someone deserved a nomination based solely on the meaning of the production they were in, and not on their performance in comparison to those they are competing against? 

Kenough Is Kenough

Ultimately, Gerwig and Robbie missing out on nominations for Barbie, which as a whole still bagged eight noms this year, cannot take away from the message behind the movie. The film has been embroiled in numerous other misogynistic controversies including that Golden Globes excuse of a joke, but this incident is not comparable to that. In this situation, where white women missing out on a potential trophy is garnering more media attention than the global suffering of less-privileged women of colour, we need to ask ourselves why.

People have every right to voice their opinions on the matter and criticise the Academy for their decisions. However, there are far more important issues that warrant this level of public outcry. What some consider an ‘awards snub’ should really be low on our list of priorities. 

At its core, Barbie’s purpose was to empower women, and this means all women. Not just those who are successful, rich and white.

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Featured image courtesy of Craig Chen on Flickr. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here. 

Olivia is currently a final year journalism student at the University of Sheffield, with a particular passion for current affairs and feminist issues.

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