The pink trade.. Why is Barbie so popular? Is it worth it? | Art

Since its release in theaters two weeks ago, “Barbie” has crossed the billion-dollar mark as director Greta Gerwig broke the record for the highest-grossing female director. Jenkins, director of “Barbie.” Wonder Woman.

The film’s producer, Warner Bros. Pictures, reported $459 million from theaters in North America and $572.1 million worldwide over the weekend, bringing the total to $1.0315 billion.

The Margot Robbie-produced film has been the top-grossing film for three weeks and is still holding on, and the earnings pace is faster than any other film in the “studio”. “Harry Potter” series, according to reports from the network, CNN and British newspaper, The Guardian.

It is true that these numbers about the film raised many questions and debates whether the cinema was worth watching and the buzz around it became part of the reviews of many art critics and media, but there is another question. Here we ask: What is the secret to the popularity of the movie “Barbie”?

Controversy over the toy and its suitability for children

This is the first appearance of the “Barbie” doll, which hit the market 64 years ago – on the big screen. Basically, this toy, which appeared on the scene in 1959, has been controversial since its inception. , especially as there is ongoing debate over whether the toy is suitable for women, young girls who want to play with age-appropriate toys, not toys for the mature woman, with the “ideal slim” body image, an image that Western media has tried to export since the 1920s.

At this point, Andy Zeisler, author of the book “We Were Feminists Once”, wrote a blog published by the American newspaper “The New York Times” on the occasion of the opening of the film, as he said “Barbie” represents a flash point in the question of how she has been in the last 64 years. Women? As different models are created for Barbie, especially from a skinny blonde girl in a pink dress, different versions and debates – and perhaps confusion of choice – about sizes, colors, professions, clothes and additional “accessories” have intensified. Among the lovers of this toy.

Zeisler cited the 2018 documentary Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie, in which one of the guests was Barbie fan and head of public relations Michelle Schedoni. The American toy company “Mattel”, (or as it describes itself as a “Barbie promoter”), titled this documentary, believes that “Barbie carries generations of beauty standards and feminist analysis on her tiny shoulders” and this is what led her to reframe the doll; It can vary completely, or more sporty, or in color depending on the debates around it or the efforts of its manufacturers to provide a product that satisfies different tastes.

For her part, Maria Teresa Hart, the author of “The Doll”, believes that this popularity is related to the desire of some people, “to return to their doll box and relive the moments they lived in their childhood bedroom.”

A city fit for a girl

The events of the film take us to the land of Barbie – from the point of view of workers – every Barbie has a wonderful job on an equal footing with men, and actress Helen Mirren says. Sarcastic Voice: “All issues related to feminism and women’s rights have been resolved,” the magazine said. Times” in America’s film presentation.

The magazine pointed out that the film offered a better picture of “Barbie” showing her beauty and confidence in the evenings, even as “Ken” was a comfortable dance partner and wanted to search for answers in the real world. , “Ken” was just a “sidekick” in Barbie’s dream life.

The article saw that “Barbie” could criticize the current tense life of gender relations, while also providing support for girls and providing a unique musical connection.

“Barbie” image.. an advertisement

The film’s production company “Warner Bros” and toy company “Mattel” have collaborated with several companies, in conjunction with the film, an extensive display of Barbie products this summer; Like: luxury fashion company Bloomingdale’s, American ice cream chains introduced pink products to Pinkberry, and the pink trend has spread to Barbie Pasta and Xbox Barbie.

The American magazine report adds, “The high grossing of the Barbie movie is not necessarily due to the fact that you can’t cross a street in a big city without seeing an ad for Barbie, but more so because of her pink color. Barbie boldly engages in feminine beauty, targeting a female audience, which “doesn’t happen much in Hollywood. Big-budget films marketed to male audiences, including Barbie’s box office rivals Oppenheimer and Mission Impossible.”

Popular singers participate

Before “Barbie” was released in theaters, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the album track featuring the movie’s popular stars; American rapper Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, singer Charli XCX, and American singer Billie Eilish were produced by famous producer Mark Ronson, and the introduction of these famous names could be another factor in the attraction. The film, and the fun music aspect of the film will make some viewers look for fun and excitement.

Political debates

Political debate has also been fueled by the film, with a map that critics say is the “nine-dash line” a maritime boundary rejected by an international tribunal in The Hague, but used by China to assert its claim to much of South China. Sea, the Vietnamese and the Philippines – which are in dispute with China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea – have blocked the film from being shown in the country because of the map.

Although the production company confirmed that it was merely a “childish painting in transparent colors” and that those responsible for the work “did not intend any kind of statement or political stance”, questions remained about the relationship between Hollywood and Hollywood. Beijing, and the amount of concessions that some “studios” can make. films to reach its largest market.

Psychological reasons

There are also psychological reasons discussed by Psychology Today, a website specializing in psychology and mental health, which, while the writer spoke about the difficulty of creating a story, spoke of the longing of some moviegoers for a perfect pink Barbie world. It would last longer in an ideal world, as the philosopher Bence Nanai said, “After all, what kind of conflict and stalemate could there be in a perfect world every day?”

And he concluded, “Here the film takes a different direction, as Barbie faces decisions that we all sympathize with, namely: choosing to stay (in Barbie Land) or go out into the real world to fix things, which she considered familiar decisions, and something we know all too well, and something completely strange. We face in our lives when there is a choice between