It read like a scene out of âBarbieâ itself.
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations Tuesday morning for the 96th annual Oscars, both Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were dealt a shocking snub in the best director and best actress categories, respectively. Meanwhile, as if to pour salt on the wound, Ryan Gosling secured a thumbs up in the best supporting actor category for his role as Ken, the patriarchy-obsessed and vapid sidekick in the yearâs biggest blockbuster.
The move by the Academy, which is no stranger to controversy and has faced a torrent of criticism in recent years over issues related to diversity, left a fair share of observers astonished and shaking their heads. It was widely expected that Gerwig, in particular, would get a nod for best director, given that she was the creative force behind the critically acclaimed billion-dollar sensation, which the academy itself recognized by nominating it for best picture.
âBarbieâ was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is owned by CNNâs parent company.
To many, the snubbing of the pair further validated the filmâs message about how difficult it can be for women to succeed in â and be recognized for â their contributions in a society saturated by sexism. While Gerwig did receive a nomination for best adapted screenplay and Robbie was given the nod as a producer, they wonât compete for the yearâs most prestigious prizes.
âItâs still so easy for Hollywood to overlook and discount artistic contributions of women - EVEN WHEN ITS THE POINT OF THE YEARâS BIGGEST MOVIE!â lamented prominent political strategist Jennifer Palmieri, who served as director of communications in the Obama White House and for Hillary Clintonâs 2016 presidential campaign. âMy God. It was nominated for best picture. Didnât direct itself, friends!â
It goes without saying that Palmieri was far from alone in sharing such thoughts. The Academyâs snubbing of Gerwig and Robbie immediately lit up social media, giving way to a flood of news stories and criticism, and sparked broader discussion about sexism on programs such as âThe View.â
In fact, it was not just limited to outside observers skewering the Academy. The controversy prompted two of the filmâs stars, Gosling and America Ferrera, to speak out and convey their dismay at the cold shoulder from the Academy.
In a statement, Gosling said he was âextremely honoredâ to have been nominated for the best actor award âalongside such remarkable artists.â He added that he is also âproud that itâs for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.â
âBut 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,â Gosling said. âNo recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that Iâm disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.â
âAgainst all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history,â the actor added. âTheir work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.â
Ferrera who was given the green light for best supporting actress, told Deadlineâs Matt Grobar that she was âa little bit in shockâ after the nominations were announced â in both good and bad ways.
âTheyâre my girls, and I want to see their incredible, amazing work celebrated. They made history, they set a new bar,â Ferrera told Grobar. âThey not only broke box office records, but made something that resonated around the globe, and the impact of what they made is, and will continue to be felt in our culture. I think I join a lot of people in wanting to see them acknowledged for that.â
In an interview with Varietyâs Angelique Jackson and Clayton Davis, Ferrera was more blunt: âI was incredibly disappointed that they werenât nominated.â
The Academy in recent years has made efforts to be more representative of society. But racial diversity and sexism still linger as problems that it is trying to address. At last yearâs awards ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel even joked, âHow does the Academy not nominate the guy who directed âAvatarâ? What do they think he is, a woman?â
There is empirical evidence that supports the notion women are overlooked by the Academy. A sweeping 2020 study from Emerson College, titled âOscar is a Man: Sexism and the Academy Awards,â found that the winners of the best picture category are nearly twice as likely to feature male lead actors. The paperâs authors, Kenneth Grout and Owen Eagan, wrote that âone thing is historically certainâ in Hollywood: âWomen have had to work harder than men to achieve the same acclaim.â
Suffice to say, those words are ringing true across the industry today.