My wife and I recently had the opportunity to watch ‘Barbie’ in the cinema, motivated by a rather unusual concern. My children, with the eldest being 27, have little to no familiarity with Barbie, unlike my wife’s generation.
The film’s hype, in both traditional forms of media and social media, had no connection to the actual storyline of the film.
The film affirms that life is a partnership between women and men, each inhabiting their own worlds.
The film highlights the challenges faced by women who balance roles as employees, wives, and mothers, protecting their husbands, families, and children while maintaining their success and continuity in their work. It also portrays the extent of the hardships these tasks pose for women.
On the other hand, the film shows that men are generally content with their work, whatever it may be, and are less involved in housework and raising children. Therefore, the film mirrors the true reality of our society’s dynamics between women and men.
The film emphasizes that love is the binding force between women and men, leading to marriage and the formation of families. It is deeply realistic, countering any rumors of promoting deviance, homosexuality, or gender reassignment. Instead, it presents these themes in the context of delightful, humorous, and musical scenes.
The film transported my wife and me back to our childhood, to the beautiful moments of happiness we envision for children all over the world – the idea of pink for girls and blue for boys.
While watching the film during my stay in Dubai, I noticed that the costumes and outfits of the female audience, of all ages and nationalities, were more eye-catching than the film itself.
The film starred a large number of A-list actresses and actors, such as Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon, and America Ferrera, along with other celebrities like artist Dua Lipa and WWE champion John Cena. This highlighted cinema’s close relationship with the fashion industry, as the color pink dominated most clothing stores and galleries.
Cinema is not just for entertainment; it is an industry, art, message, and culture with a profound impact on societies and various mass industries, particularly sports. It serves as a powerful soft force, a platform for culture, tourism, and heritage.
Thank you, once again, Barbie.