Process
Status Items Highlights Done See section below Claims None Questions None Output None
Highlights
Time 0:39:01
Nuance Lost on Audience
- Some viewers won’t grasp the nuances of a film’s message, such as the idea that patriarchy harms everyone.
- This can be especially problematic given the tendency for messages to be weaponized, reducing complex ideas into binary conflicts.
- The ease of weaponization increases the responsibility of artists and audiences to engage with media thoughtfully. Transcript: Speaker 3 That are going to take away from this movie certain things and there’s some people that are just not going to get it and it’s like they’re not going to pick up on the nuance and like actually Patriarchy is bad for men. Speaker 1 You know like actually nobody wins in the patriarchy like these nuances are going to be lost in a lot of people. So what is the responsibility of our audience. Well especially now when people can weaponize everything you know what I mean so easily so it’s like when the Ken’s weapon eyes yeah totally. Speaker 4 That’s so good. Speaker 3 Let me just talk about it.
Time 0:41:19
Capitalist Realist Theory in Barbie
- Jessie Kahnweiler found the ‘Barbie’ movie’s message about cognitive dissonance unsatisfying.
- The movie suggests that by being aware of the contradictions inherent in being a woman, one robs the patriarchy of its power.
- Kahnweiler relates this to the capitalist realist theory and sees it as an example of performative allyship.
- It acknowledges the problem, but suggests mere awareness is enough for change, without offering real solutions. Transcript: Speaker 2 Like I’m so glad you brought that up and I know I will make room for Frank for for our Ken but I that made me think I wrote that I actually pulled my phone out to write down and I was really interesting Speaker 4 That it was like they were she was basically saying like by being aware of cognitive dissonance required to be a woman you rob the patriarchy of its power and I was just like that is like Speaker 2 The capitalist realist theory in a lot of way of like if we talk about it and we say it’s a thing that that’s enough so like the reference tomorrow when I was a girl Robbie being cast like It’s enough that we mentioned
Time 0:48:21
Commercialized Feminism
- A film podcast discussed the effectiveness of Barbie’s feminist message.
- One host questioned if a commercialized, widely-reached message is better than a niche, independent one.
- Is it better for a feminist message to be in a “pristine Barbie box” or a “grungy indie film?”
- The discussion considered the trade-off between reach and authenticity in conveying a message. Transcript: Speaker 1 And on that one, someone, one of the hosts said she was like, you know, I know that this is just a giant IP commercial for a Mattel product, but isn’t it so great that we have this feminist Message in a product that is this big and this commercialized that is going to reach this many people. Isn’t that better than this kind of message being in like, I don’t know, like a mid tier indie comedy that Greta Gerwig would have made that only like one 100th of the audience would have Seen. Isn’t it better that we have this message in this big Hollywood IP film than a smaller movie? And I don’t know. And raise that question. I was like, I don’t know. Cause like, one is the, is the movies like feminist message strong enough? And two, is it better that it is in this, let’s say, you know, pristine Barbie box rather than in like a grungy indie film? Speaker 3 I can’t even pretend to like know what’s best for the culture. Like I can only speak in with my whole of you. But for me, it’s like the Barbie, um, just the symbol of Barbie of like a skinny blonde will never inherently feel empowering to me. I think it’s just like she did the best version of what she could. Speaker 1 And like, it’s not for me to say whether or not it should, should exist. But to me, the thing of like, you know, I was like, fuck dude, I’d rather it have been the cabbage patch dolls. Speaker 3 At least they had thighs, you know, it just like a little bit, um, or even the American girl dolls big don’t, it doesn’t personally connotate such, uh, such like dis association with My own body. Like Barbie is never going
Time 0:49:04
Barbie’s Message
- One of the podcast hosts questions the effectiveness of Barbie’s feminist message due to its commercial nature.
- They discuss whether this message being in a massive IP film is better than it being in a smaller indie film that fewer people would see.
- The speaker expresses uncertainty, questioning the strength of the message and whether its association with the Barbie brand diminishes its impact.
- They suggest the irony of a “feminist” product tied to an unrealistic body image, preferring other doll brands that feel more representative or empowering.
- The speaker concludes by saying they’d prefer the film to be about another doll that’s less damaging in terms of body expectations. Transcript: Speaker 1 And two, is it better that it is in this, let’s say, you know, pristine Barbie box rather than in like a grungy indie film? Speaker 3 I can’t even pretend to like know what’s best for the culture. Like I can only speak in with my whole of you. But for me, it’s like the Barbie, um, just the symbol of Barbie of like a skinny blonde will never inherently feel empowering to me. I think it’s just like she did the best version of what she could. Speaker 1 And like, it’s not for me to say whether or not it should, should exist. But to me, the thing of like, you know, I was like, fuck dude, I’d rather it have been the cabbage patch dolls. Speaker 3 At least they had thighs, you know, it just like a little bit, um, or even the American girl dolls big don’t, it doesn’t personally connotate such, uh, such like dis association with My own body. Like Barbie is never going to feel empowering to me. Speaker 1 And I think any attempt to do that is what we got in those side characters who are not real. They’re not real women. Speaker 2 So and maybe it’s to your point about like the stream, the, the actual vagueness and some of the storytelling and that it was a lot of really fun jokes. But I was left being like, wait, what was the message? Like what is the feminist met? Like, you know what I mean? And even when people talk about it, they’re like, it’s a feminist message. I’m like, so what is the message? Do you know what I wish Barbara would have done? Speaker 1 Like the, the earned whoever the real pro and play like, I wish she would have literally done a doll of what her actual daughter looks like. Speaker 3 Like we should figure out