On Jan. 23rd, nominations for the coveted Oscars came out. This past year was an outstanding year for film. One of the, arguably, most notable films released this year being Barbie, directed by the phenomenal Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as the title role of Barbie. This movie has been described as an encapsulation of girlhood, connecting women from generation to generation. However, when the Oscar nominations were released, many were shocked to find Gerwig and Robbie completely snubbed. Neither of these women was nominated in their respective major categories of Best Actress and Best Director. However, Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in Barbie, received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In fact, Gerwig received no nominations for her outstanding directing, her singular nomination was alongside her husband for Best Adapted Screenplay. It is apparent that those who decide the Oscar nominations need to watch this incredible film and learn a lesson on how they are perpetuating the impossible standards for women which this film combats. 

In a pivotal moment in Barbie, America Ferrera, who plays Gloria, makes a bold and true statement. “[Women] have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong,” Ferrera states, emotionally. She goes on to say “But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.” In Ferrera’s words, it is literally impossible to be a woman, and this Oscars snub is a prime example of this. Despite Robbie and Gerwig’s absolutely amazing work and completely vital role in Barbie, their male counterpart is being celebrated instead of them. Despite being utterly extraordinary, they still aren’t good enough to be acknowledged. But Gosling’s, debatably, less extraordinary performance can be nominated and recognized in the major categories. Not to disparage Gosling’s work on Barbie, but in his own words, “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.” The system is absolutely rigged in favor of men. As Ferrera says in the film, “It’s too hard. It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you.”

The Oscars need to do better, these women deserve just as much recognition as men.