PloughCast Bonus Episode: Is Barbie a confused mess or deeply insightful?
Aug 30, 2023
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Hannah Long, Leah Libresco Sargeant, Alastair Roberts, and Susannah Black Roberts discuss the Barbie Movie exploring its critique of contemporary masculinity and femininity, the conflicting views of femininity, the lack of conflict and development between the Ken characters, and the themes of consumerism, capitalism, and representation in Barbie's Dreamhouse Adventures.
The primary problem that the Barbie movie critiques is the unsatisfying nature of contemporary masculinity and femininity, challenging the "Girlboss" model for female adulthood.
The Barbie movie explores the transition from girlhood to womanhood, examining the challenges faced by women in navigating femininity, societal expectations, and the importance of finding one's own identity.
Deep dives
Reflections on the Barbie Movie
The podcast episode features a discussion about the Barbie movie, exploring its themes and messages. The podcast participants highlight the film's exploration of the enmity between the sexes and the search for a moral in the story. They delve into the movie's contradictions, its exploration of the contradictions experienced by men and women, and the depiction of femininity. The podcast also touches on the themes of growing up, the relationship between childhood and adulthood, and the fear and acceptance of aging. There is a discussion on the dissatisfaction with girl-boss consumerism and the complexities of relationships and romance in modern society. The episode examines the role of capitalism, consumerism, and artificiality in the movie, as well as the representation of diverse characters.
The Journey from Girlhood to Womanhood in Barbie
The podcast episode highlights the movie's exploration of the transition from girlhood to womanhood. It discusses Barbie's representation as a symbol of girlhood innocence and the contrast with Sasha, the daughter, who has lost her innocence and views the world more cynically. The podcast delves into the challenges and contradictions faced by women as they navigate the concepts of femininity, gender roles, and societal expectations. It also explores the importance of recognizing and accepting the inevitability of aging and the reflections on mortality that the movie portrays. The episode touches on the conflict between childhood and adulthood, and the need for individuals to find their own identity and purpose outside of societal expectations.
The Complexity of Relationships and Romance in Barbie
This podcast episode delves into the complexities of relationships and romance portrayed in the Barbie movie. It discusses the lack of a straightforward love triangle and the refusal to provide a traditional romantic narrative. The participants reflect on the absence of marital resolutions in modern storytelling and the difficulty of finding authentic romantic storylines in contemporary films. The episode also explores the limitations of capitalism, highlighting the superficial representation of diverse characters and the emptiness of commodified girl power. It touches upon the rejection of the stereotypical girl boss vision of success and the exploration of alternative paths to human fulfillment.
Critiquing Consumerism and Reflecting on Capitalism
The podcast episode offers a critique of consumerism and touches on the portrayal of capitalism in the Barbie movie. It discusses the contradiction of the film's critique of consumerism while still serving as a promotional ad for the Barbie brand. The podcast participants note the prevalence of surface-level representation and the societal focus on appearance and inclusivity without addressing deeper issues. They also highlight the film's examination of artificiality, the struggle to grow old in a world obsessed with youth, and the exploration of themes related to neoliberalism and the quest for social justice. The episode calls for a deeper analysis of consumerism and capitalism and challenges the idea that there are no ethical choices within these systems.
Hannah Long, Leah Libresco Sargeant, Alastair Roberts, and Susannah Black Roberts discuss the Barbie Movie.
Does it have a moral? What is Gerwig trying to say about feminism, men and women, capitalism, and so on? Is it a confused mess or deeply insightful?
The primary problem that the movie is designed to critique is the deeply unsatisfying nature of contemporary masculinity and femininity, and the poverty of the “Girlboss” as a model for female adulthood.
But what does it offer as an alternative? Is there a vision for a way forward for Ken as well as Barbie? And what does it imply about the disembodiment of contemporary life?
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