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Screenwriters Criticize Mattel's 'Women in Film' Barbie Range for Omitting 'Screenwriter Barbie'

The new range, launched in the wake of the success of Greta Gerwig’s hit film 'Barbie', aims to challenge gender stereotypes in the film industry but has sparked controversy for not including a screenwriter doll.

Barbie's "Career of the Year" for 2024 is "Women in Film"
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Barbie is a cinematographer, studio executive, director and, of course, a movie star.

Overview

  • Mattel's new 'women in film' Barbie range has faced backlash from screenwriters for not including a 'Screenwriter Barbie', despite the recent Writers Guild of America strike highlighting their importance in the filmmaking process.
  • The range includes a 'studio executive Barbie', a 'film star Barbie', a 'director Barbie' and a 'cinematographer Barbie', and is part of Mattel's annual 'career of the year' drive, which aims to highlight a particular industry or profession.
  • The launch of the range follows the success of Greta Gerwig’s hit film, 'Barbie', which was the highest-grossing movie of 2023 and the first movie directed by a woman to make more than $1bn.
  • Despite the success of 'Barbie', studies have shown that advances in female representation behind the camera have been slow, with women comprising just 16% of directors and 17% of writers on the 250 top-grossing films in 2023.
  • Mattel's new range aims to change gender stereotypes about roles in the film industry, but critics argue that the omission of a 'Screenwriter Barbie' undermines this goal.