Has Hollywood Learned Anything?

With awards season in full swing, the wins and nominations – or lack thereof, have created quite a storm within the film industry and pop culture. After the 2024 Oscar nominations were announced late last month, there was an immediate reaction from fans, myself included. Yet, amidst the buzz and anticipation, the lingering question emerged: Has Hollywood learned anything?

Even six years after the #MeToo movement, the movement that shook Hollywood to its core – the film industry's progress toward change and equal opportunities for women remains slow. Even with increasing awareness and advocacy, the persistent trend of predominantly praising white male filmmakers for their portrayals of white male narratives, one of which has been nominated for several Oscars this year, continues. Despite Barbie’s breaking of box office records, raking in a nomination for Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay, two of the women who brought Barbie to life, failed to be recognized for their work. Margot Robbie, Barbie herself and a producer of the film, and director, Greta Gerwig, not receiving nominations feels surreal and parallel to the film itself. 

In an excerpt from America Ferrara or “Gloria’s” monologue in Barbie, she captures the nuanced expectations placed on women in the industry, while simultaneously mirroring the societal perceptions and pressures women face in a man’s world: “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. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line.”

Speaking for myself as a young woman, this past summer was a triumph with the release of Barbie. Barbie allowed multiple generations of women to connect with their inner child and embrace girlhood to the fullest. Dressing up in pink and going to the movie theaters with my mom, sister, cousin, aunt, and grandma is a core memory I will never forget. With plans to pursue a career in film, I find the Oscar snubs, not just for Barbie, but for other films, directors, and actresses like Celine Song and Greta Lee for Past Lives, extremely disheartening and disappointing. 

While acknowledging the recent strides for women in the industry and celebrating the achievements of nominees and awardees such as Ayo Edebori for The Bear, Quinta Brunton for Abbott Elementary, Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon, Emma Stone for Poor Things, America Ferrera for Barbie and Justine Triet for Anatomy of a Fall, it is essential to continue advocating for gender equality and representation in entertainment. 

Ironically, the message of Barbie seemed lost on The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, nominating Ken over Barbie. In analyzing how much Hollywood has learned, the male comedian, Jo Koy, hosting the recent Golden Globes just about sums it up: “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies. The key moment in Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet. Or what casting directors call character actor!" 

On the bright side, there is only room for growth for women in the film industry. However, on the flip side, how much longer will it take for women to earn the same respect as men in Hollywood? Despite progress made over the years, these recent snubs highlight the persistent challenges women face in gaining equal representation and opportunities in the film industry. These issues further emphasize the need for continued efforts, accountability, and action to ensure that women have a fair, respected seat at the table in Hollywood.

Sources:
Here’s Every Word of America Ferrera’s Big Barbie Monologue
The Golden Globes Monologue Was Bad—But One Joke in Particular Sank Jo Koy