Long criticized for its stereotypical image of women, the Barbie doll has been on everyone’s lips since the release of director Greta Gerwig’s feature film.
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The enthusiasm for this film, which certainly stems from the nostalgia and popularity of the doll, is also due to the feminist values of the cinematic work, believe PhD students and influencers Marie-Emmanuelle and Florence-Olivia Genesse.
In an interview with TVA Nouvelles, the two members of the duo “The Sis” emphasized that the Barbie film sends a refreshing message to society and especially to women and young girls.
“Women want to have the option of being ultra-feminine, or not at all, and not being judged on their looks,” argues Marie-Emmanuelle Genesse.
Even if the character Barbie seems at first glance to emphasize the dominance of looks, the film challenges certain stereotypes and prejudices, the two feminist influencers believe.
“We associate that a woman can like pink, that she can’t have a career, that she’s less intelligent, that she’s shallow […] Why not combine the desire to take care of one’s appearance with being a doctor or being a president? asks Marie-Emmanuelle Genesse.
“Being a woman doesn’t mean being put into a box or category. I think that’s what the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, was trying to do. Being a woman in 2023 means being able to be and exist in different categories without necessarily having the more patriarchal look that we previously had with the previous Barbies,” proclaims Florence-Olivia Genesse.
The famous doll has changed a lot since it was created more than 60 years ago and must continue to do so in order to remain relevant, say the two law doctoral students.
“The doll is connected to the lived experiences of all women. I think that makes it durable and the only way to evolve is to recognize the different experiences and highlight them through the puppets,” says Florence-Olivia Genesse.
To see the full interview, watch the video above