Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie': Paving The Way For Women Directors

Audiences are drawn to nostalgia, prompting producers and filmmakers to revisit old classics to tap into the market of viewers who yearn for a trip down memory lane. ‘Barbie’, with its nostalgic appeal, evokes memories of playdates and imaginative childhoods, making even blurry stills from Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling's performances as Barbie and Ken create a social media frenzy months before the trailer or the movie release.

Greta Gerwig, an American screenwriter and director known for her indie films, has gained prominence with a series of successful projects. Now entrusted by Mattel, a top toy company, Gerwig directs Barbie's first live-action film, elevating her status among top directors and contributing to breaking barriers for women directors in a field still marked by underrepresentation.

Despite concerns about Hollywood's performative promises to increase diversity, the massive success anticipated for Gerwig's ‘Barbie’ raises hopes for positive progress and potential trailblazing in the industry.

In fields where women are underrepresented, a significant challenge arises: when one woman encounters setbacks, it often becomes a reason to invest less in all women. This trend is noticeable in Hollywood, where financial support and audience reception can be skewed.

Elizabeth Banks faced criticism for her direction of ‘Charlie’s Angels’ in 2019, and Chloe Zhao received backlash for Marvel's ‘Eternals,’ despite her Academy Award-winning status. 

Patty Jenkins, despite the success of ‘Monster,’ faced a lengthy gap before her next directing opportunity with ‘Wonder Woman.’ The negative reception of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ led to the cancellation of her planned ‘Wonder Woman 3,’ reflecting an imbalance in how directors, especially women, are perceived and treated by fans. This stands in stark contrast to the treatment of male directors like Zack Snyder.

The production of ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a psychological thriller directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, was marred by various controversies, ranging from personal relationships on set to alleged incidents involving Harry Styles and Chris Pine.

The film's drama seemed to overshadow its actual plot, and Wilde, a polarizing figure, faced scrutiny that often overshadowed her work. Wilde has highlighted the different standards applied to male and female directors, emphasizing the impact of personal life on perceptions of female directors.

Despite #MeToo revelations, there is still a notable tendency among the public to separate the art from the artist when it comes to male directors, while women directors face disparities in opportunities. The 2022 Celluloid Ceiling report reveals that only 24% of the top 250 highest-grossing films were directed by women, indicating a marginal decline from 2021.

– Farheen Ali