The Academy Awards released the list of this year’s nominations. “Barbie” received eight, including best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor, but the film’s director and star, Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, respectively, didn’t receive nods.
The absences evoked confusion, but there was also cause for celebration as Lily Gladstone became the first Native American nominated for a Best Actress.
Online commenters pointed to the irony that a movie largely about female empowerment and women’s place in society was given a nod for its male supporting actor, Ryan Gosling as Ken, and not for the protagonist or director who brought the vision to life.
Gosling released a statement addressing the nomination snubs. He thanked the Academy and followed with, “But 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… To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.”
“Barbie” was nominated for Best Motion Picture along with “Poor Things,” “Killers of the Flowers Moon,” and “Oppenheimer.” The Oscars are on March 10 at 7 p.m.
