The news is resonating like tremors in the cinematic world, as Margot Robbie, the heart of the top-grossing film of 2023, “Barbie,” casts light on her conspicuous Oscar snub. The global star shared her perspective for the first time at a special Screen Actors Guild screening panel discussion in Los Angeles, Tuesday. Despite the film receiving a whopping eight nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards, Robbie emerged empty-handed in the Best Actress category— an exclusion that has sparked a passionate outcry from frustrated fans. Yet, even more intriguing was Robbie’s response: shifting the lens from herself to the film’s director, Greta Gerwig.
“Barbie,” an absolute blockbuster fueled by the collective prowess of Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, and Issa Rae, under Gerwig’s diligent direction, made billions. Robbie, adopting an attitude of gratitude for the journey, even in the face of disappointment, noted, “There’s no way to feel sad when you know you’re this blessed.” The actress was vocal about her acceptance of the situation, choosing to focus on the positives and the fact that the film garnered eight Academy awards nominations, terming it as “wild.”
Robbie, a resplendent figure in Hollywood, utilized this platform to spotlight Gerwig’s remarkable direction. “Obviously I think Greta should be nominated as a director because what she did is — a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing, what she pulled off, it really is,” Robbie emphasized appreciatively. Despite Gerwig being overlooked too in the directors’ category, Robbie painted a grander perspective of the film’s impact, suggesting the movie was “bigger than us” and “bigger than our industry.” Displaying an extraordinary humility seldom seen among stars of her caliber, she communicated her intent behind participating in “Barbie” was to “shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact.”
Make an impact it did. Robust conversations about the industry’s appreciation of talent and work have been triggered. Layers behind the glitz and glamour are being peeled back to assess the real worth of cinematic performances and direction.
To conclude, Robbie’s reaction to her Oscars snub has cast a revealing light on the ongoing discussions around the Hollywood awards structure. The world watched as Robbie pivoted from personal disappointment to highlight the astounding work of her director, Greta Gerwig. More importantly, her emphasis on the overarching cultural impact of “Barbie” signals that for some, the goal remains centred on cinema’s ability to affect change and inspire, beyond the accolades and recognition. Through her articulate responses, Robbie has proven that sometimes the undesirable situations can propel the most profound conversations, reaffirming that it is these dialogues that will indeed shift the fabric of the industry.
