Oscar Drama After Margot Robbie Snub
Ryan Gosling, nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Ken in the highest-grossing film of last year, "Barbie," has expressed his disappointment over the snubbing of lead actress Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig in the best actress and director categories.
Gosling emphasized the collaborative nature of the film, stating in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, "There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film."
The blockbuster film garnered a total of eight Oscar nominations, the most for any film. Notable nominations include America Ferrera for supporting actress and Greta Gerwig, along with her husband Noah Baumbach, for best-adapted screenplay. The movie also secured a nomination for the prestigious Best Picture category.
The absence of Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig from the best actress and director categories sparked accusations of sexism on social media, particularly given that "Barbie" centers around feminist themes and critiques of patriarchy. Disgruntled fans took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration over what they perceived as a significant oversight.
One social media user lamented, "Greta Gerwig: Made a critically acclaimed, culturally profound, feminist movie about Barbie and the patriarchy that made a billion dollars at the box office. Oscar nomination goes to … Ken." The sentiment echoes the disappointment of many who feel that the critical and commercial success of the film should have translated into recognition for its lead actress and director.
If Ryan Gosling's Ken wins the only Oscar for "Barbie," it will be absolutely hilarious https://t.co/nWG0UFeO07
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 24, 2024
Another critic pointed out the irony of the situation, stating, "So the whole point of the Barbie movie was to empower women and show that we are strong and capable in a very male-dominated world, yet the leading actress and director wasn’t nominated for an Oscar??? Tell me you didn’t understand the meaning of the film without telling me." The disconnect between the film's themes and the Oscar nominations has led to a broader conversation about the film industry's acknowledgment of female-led and feminist projects.
Accusations of Hollywood's bias against women in the industry surfaced on social media. One user boldly claimed, "Hollywood hates women, they saw that #Barbie won the year by making THE MOST money at the box office, so this is their way of humbling her. That’s right, I said it." The frustration expressed online reflects a sentiment that the industry may not be fully embracing and recognizing the achievements of women in film, particularly when those achievements challenge traditional narratives.
America Ferrera, nominated for supporting actress in "Barbie," also weighed in on the snubs. She expressed disappointment in an interview with Variety, stating, "I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated. Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it. What Margot achieved as an actress is truly unbelievable." Ferrera praised Robbie's ability to make her work appear effortless and suggested that this might have led people to overlook the depth of her performance.
As the backlash continues, the Oscars face scrutiny for the perceived oversight in recognizing the contributions of women in key roles for a film that not only achieved significant box office success but also engaged with important feminist themes. The controversy surrounding the nominations has reignited discussions about gender equality and representation in the film industry, prompting many to question the standards and biases that influence award nominations.