Oscar Nominations Snub Director Greta Gerwig and Lead Actress Margot Robbie for ‘Barbie’
The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced on Tuesday, and while the highest-grossing movie of the year, “Barbie,” received eight nods, director Greta Gerwig and lead actress Margot Robbie were notably absent from the list. This snub has sparked outrage and raised questions about the pervasive influence of patriarchy in the film industry.
“Barbie,” a film that captivated audiences with its singular and wildly popular vision, secured nominations for best picture, best supporting actress (America Ferrera), and best supporting actor (Ryan Gosling). However, the absence of Gerwig and Robbie is a forehead-slapping pair of snubs that perfectly exemplify the movie’s central premise: women face an uphill battle in a culture dominated by patriarchy.
Gerwig, who was previously nominated for best director for “Lady Bird,” set a new record for the highest-grossing female-directed film at the domestic box office with “Barbie.” Despite this achievement, she was overlooked once again. Robbie, who portrayed the iconic Barbie character, was also ignored in the lead actress category. Although both Gerwig and Robbie received nominations in other categories (Gerwig for best adapted screenplay and Robbie as a producer), it does little to alleviate the frustration surrounding their exclusion.
The social media sphere quickly erupted with outrage over these snubs. Author Brad Meltzer aptly summarized the situation by stating, “Nominating Ken but not Barbie is literally the plot of the movie.” Even renowned author Stephen King weighed in on the matter. While Gosling, who received a nomination for his portrayal of Ken, expressed gratitude for the recognition, he acknowledged that the success of “Barbie” would not have been possible without Gerwig and Robbie’s contributions.
The dissonance between the best picture and best director categories has long been a point of contention. This year, the issue is particularly glaring, as every frame of “Barbie” feels like a Gerwig creation. The film offers a sunny yet subversive take on American girlhood, and it is impossible to separate the director from the overall picture. Despite this, there is only one woman nominated in the best director category this year, Justine Triet for “Anatomy of a Fall.” While Triet’s film is highly acclaimed, it remains relatively unknown to the general public. In contrast, “Barbie” was a colossal success that challenged patriarchal norms with its cross-generational appeal.
The history of the Academy Awards is rife with examples of female directors being denied nominations. It took nearly five decades for the Academy to recognize a female nominee, and there has never been more than one woman nominated in a single year. This year, Gerwig’s snub is compounded by the exclusion of Celine Song, director of the best picture-nominated “Past Lives.” It seems that the industry still struggles to handle more than one talented female director at a time, as twice-snubbed director Marielle Heller has pointed out.
Earlier this year, Gerwig expressed her hopes for “Barbie” and its potential impact on gender parity. She envisioned the film as an invitation for everyone to let go of societal constraints that limit both women and men. While Gerwig’s vision may not have been fully realized in this year’s Oscar nominations, there is hope for progress in the future.
The absence of Gerwig and Robbie from the list of Oscar nominees for “Barbie” serves as a stark reminder of the challenges women face in the film industry. It highlights the need for greater recognition and opportunities for female directors and actresses. As audiences continue to voice their discontent over these snubs, it is clear that change is long overdue. Perhaps next year will bring a more inclusive and equitable awards season.
