Greta Gerwig on ‘Barbie’ Making People CRY & Its Deeper Messages (Exclusive)

Greta Gerwig dishes with “Extra’s” Melvin Robert on writing and directing “Barbie.” She speaks about Barbie as a “complicated” icon and the movie’s deeper messages, which she says will sneak up on viewers! She also talks about Ryan Gosling and why he was the only choice for Ken. “Barbie” is in theaters now. (This interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.)

[@jenniferokazaki7714]

Congrats to Greta for becoming the first female director to make a $billion dollar movie.

[@fritzthecat8158]

People didn't see it because of her. Anybody who made the barbie movie would have made this kind of money. That's kinda the deal when you make a movie on an IP that been around for like 70 years

[@xavierbean5218]

@@fritzthecat8158 they would make it more of a cash grab however, they care about the money, not about the effort put into it.

[@FubbyFae]

maybeeee, yea but would anyone have the same creative ideas for the marketing aaaand film? Like the Kubrick reference which was the very first teaser trailer…could even the brilliance of that made a difference from landing at like 800+mil vs a billi so fast?

[@FubbyFae]

@@fritzthecat8158would anybody who made this movie cast Margot? Or notable make diversity a selling point (big pull) orrr the challenges to Mattel that was also part of the marketing…?

[@Lil_Valor]

@@fritzthecat8158Nah you’re just downplaying it to the extreme. There’s numerous factors besides it just being a popular IP…

[@K-Choi]

I love how Barbie acknowledged Ken’s bravery in the beginning and Ken was like very thankful for that compliment. I dunno why people see this film as hate towards men when Ken had more of a character arc than Barbie in this film.

[@RavenDots115]

It’s amazing to see how far she’s come. I still remember the indie films she was in, she was always so interesting to watch. Love that she’s getting her recognition now ❤

[@betterworld2958]

LOVED the indie films!!

[@dinesource]

"my partner in life also art"-❤😂

[@le6360]

Watched this movie on opening night. Loved it! Forced my dad and brother to watch it over Christmas this week and they laughed when I suggested the barbie movie but they laughed so much throughout and loved it. My brother kept shouting “sublime” throughout Christmas Day 😂 it’s an amazing movie 👌❤️

[@az7500]

This movie is a clever mindscrew that appears to protest against commercialism, gender bias, superficiality, but embraces them in a deceptive way, while running all the way to the bank.

[@moosh3044]

This man is a great interviewer compared to other interviewers I’ve seen talking to Greta!! Also Greta is Queen Mother🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️

[@mariaisrood]

If her intent was to make a fun and feel good film that leaves you with an insidious, negative, ponderous sort of feel afterward (as she suggests here) then I say well done. Truly, an amazing work of art.

[@gumzy3000]

Did we watch the same movie? Seriously, how did it make you feel that way?

[@luisherbas50]

It's a piece of crap

[@gumzy3000]

@@luisherbas50 why didn't you like it? It was so good.

[@FDKeroks]

​@lindyt3942 Your comment embodies perfectly what I hated about the movie. It thought it knows what Ken's problem was, but not really (or at least it did bad job portraying it). The way I seen it, Ken's problem was that he doesn't felt equil to Barbie not that he wasn't his own person. But the movie tried to say that Ken doesn't know who he is without Barbie instead of fully addressing the "I want to be equil to you" part. Personaly, I'd say that just 'cuz someone has inferiority complex it doesn't mean they don't know who they are.

[@FDKeroks]

​@lindyt3942 Addmitadly, I didn't look at it from the view the filmmakers intended. But in that case it is a viewpoint I do not agree with. As a woman I'd say I'm living my life the way I want, I know who I am without a guy and I'd be able to say that about all women I know. Also why should I give a single fuck about what others think outside, of doing a check if I didn't exceed my ashole level or if I want something from them. I'm not saying that there are not women who have these problems and that we shouldn't talk about it, but let's not pretend like it is problem of the whole westen society instead of selected groups. How can women ever define who they are if they are always shoved to side in order to let men into the spotlight? Easy, they stop focusing on what others can do and start to focus on themself aka "what I can do", not to mention, you don't have to be a guy to be inspired by guys actions to do greater stuff. Plus being kickdown from spotlight isn't men exclusive. My example is corporat work. Want to tell me that no women ever took credit for work that did her man subordinate/coworker? At the end, would you say about yourself (if you are a woman), your friends, family members, coworker/classmate that you were forced, coerced, indoctrinated, brainwashed and taught that they must derive their worth from men. If yes, I understand your viewpoint on this toppic, but it is not a viewpoint I agree with.

[@florenciajimenez2885]

She just devised a story were we empathize with a brand's intellectual property. In the movie, when we see their product as human go through misogeny we deem the product innocent from being misogenic. The movie was a big ad for mattel to pleadgue innocent of still being sexist.

[@diptik9632]

Ngl... I almost cried when Barbie goes in a trance seeing all the women n girls smiling being a mother n so much more

[@heresheis2063]

Greta did an amazing job with this movie. Many congratulations to her for being the forst female director filming a billion dollar movie in the box office

[@marianospears3626]

So glad! Happy anniversary Greta

[@luisherbas50]

You should go to get your brain first of all

[@cimmerianfable]

Such a grand success in such a young age... Long live Greta 💗💖💗

[@user-rp6ic8of5w]

Where in the world are Greta's Oscar(s)!!!!!

[@mythdusterds]

1959 was the year my Mom was born. It is also the same year Sleeping Beauty came out in theaters.

[@7392318]

I cried when America gave that speech toward the end.

[@elainascott7496]

SAME!!! I've seen it twice now and I think I'll have to go see it in theaters at least 2 more times. I have the soundtrack on loop right now, lol

[@iamlonamisa]

We all did, so significant! ❤

[@saixenophase]

A lot of sensitive snowflakes in this comment section lol

[@saixenophase]

By this I mean the people screaming "anti-men"

[@heiext]

Yup, saying it was anti-men as if there wasn't a whole part where ken was told he was enough on his own.

[@cimmerianfable]

​@@heiextKenough!!

[@poocrayon4588]

@@saixenophase Yeah only women should be listened to if they say something is offensive to them right?

[@saixenophase]

@@poocrayon4588 🫵🫵🫵 haha they thought they did something with this comment

[@3669Ranger]

This is go girl power.

[@adamcole995]

Someone needs to do a Mel brooks /MOCKERY of the Barbie crap

[@leif1075]

I dont think margots meltdown ahould be called childish..It’s very human and adult..do pplmagree?

[@bennie4376]

i loved the movie so much! also, i can’t believe she’s 45 i thought she was like 35

[@nathalie7959]

She’s 40

[@felinegroovey8627]

Greta is such a decent human being.

[@luisherbas50]

She's a social resentful

[@MTSpears]

Chat is that man giving the interview. PATRIARCHY!!!

[@3669Ranger]

Barby needs a simp...lol

[@bettyslawinski8265]

I think this Barbie movie could continue 💛💛💛💛💛🇺🇸

[@luisherbas50]

Yeah, in your dreams for sure

[@bettyslawinski8265]

@@luisherbas50 you are definitely a kenough

[@bettyslawinski8265]

Butthead Ken..ugh

[@michaz2292]

True humanity? Is it slapping someone in public?

[@candelaserrano4824]

you didn't get any shit of the movie don't you

[@hamrithan8513]

Oh so the slapping is bad nd him groping her ass in public is humanity ? Sure 🤣

[@MontyQueues]

anti men ?

[@bettyslawinski8265]

😂

[@XstonedmonkeyzX]

Whaaat the F... 🤣

[@bettyslawinski8265]

Go Barbie!!!!!!and Ken…😁lol

[@fritzthecat8158]

Women follow trends. They have almost been completely figured out by marketing firms and this movie confirms it. They literally have you hens cheering on a feature length mattel commercial

[@cherryonasundae]

And men don’t follow trends?? What the hell are you saying

[@E3T7]

That’s pretty funny but you have to admit we have our own big weaknesses as men aha

[@getheroutofthetruck]

It's deeper message: Misandry

[@nickicaty]

How? Did u watch the movie??? Ken was literally told that being himself is enough? The movie had a whole arc about how it was for him to finally get the feeling of being respected and had barbie even felt compassion for treating him in a way, were he thought he hadn't any other purpose than being by her side and not being valued???? LIKE BRO DID U WATCH THE MOVIE??

[@gumzy3000]

Your deeper meaning: idiot.

[@nathalie7959]

It’s satirical.

[@diemblaleren251]

you didnt watch the movie

[@claff4573]

It's not, but if it was eh who cares. Men have always had it one way, women can't have anything

[@TTykwer]

She's always been a fine actress then became a really good director. It surprises me a little that she took on this movie. It's making her a lot of money but I'm certain Barbie will be probably be remembered as the worse movie of her career.

[@MrMuradski]

Such a toxic movie. The idea that masculinity is bad in all forms and men are generally useless is the vacuous and very basic message of this movie. Instead of creating a balanced world view that both men and women can strengthen each other with opposing yet redeemable qualities, it does the opposite and widens the gap. This is toxic feminism camouflaged as a fun movie for families and young girls. What a shame.

[@abikeys6701]

if u didn’t understand it just say it

[@loompi2450]

Just say you didn’t get it dude

[@MrMuradski]

@@loompi2450 ohh you guys are so cute. Like mindless droids not able to give a thoughtful retort much less an individual perspective. Shit you don’t even know how to troll someone properly- Well I guess that makes you the target audience. You guys must be a blast at parties 😂

[@RavenDots115]

@@MrMuradski a trolling incel is what your original comment gave off, you don’t need to promote yourself as one cuz we got that the first time 😂

[@touchtone101]

What you said is 1000% true and i love how you broke down and explained the reasons why the movie is horrible. These people below are too low of iq to even engage in a reasonable conversation on the topics yoh brought up about the movie. The common tactics they will use its to either shame you, insult you, all in the attempt to deflect the points you made because they simply cannot argue with facts.

[@gdm1979]

This movie’s message is BS…

[@nasta612]

women empowerment? :)))

[@7392318]

Then you didn't get it.

[@Adriana-eu6ty]

What? That every man and woman should have their own identity, their own self? A girl can be a ken when she loses herself in a dude and vice versa. Nobody should depend on another person.

[@yfoog]

It’s a shame you think that

[@moonandmountain]

It’s deeper than that, in the end she chooses the real world even though it’s “patriarchy” which it’s not.

[@aswathasan4018]

Our ancestors always crossed such line that could demolish their existence.. I mean prophet noah and his story wasn't just fairy tales! It's a major event in history of mankind. And I just wanna remind everyone who'll hate this comment that, the whole world(Including every single atom) follow a particular set of rule that we humans never put in place.. everything,everything in the whole creation follows one simple rule, everything has a consequence but only human got the audacity to act like their will be no consequences!!!!! Prophet Lut was sent as a messenger to one of Prophet Ibrahim's neighbouring communities. These people, as the Qur’an tells us, practiced a perversion unknown to the world up to then, namely sodomy. When Lut told them to give up this perversion and brought them Allah's warning, they denied him, refused his prophethood, and carried on with their perversion. In the end, these people were destroyed by a dreadful disaster. The city where Lut resided is referred to as Sodom in the Old Testament. This is where the word ‘sodomy’ comes from. Being situated at the north of the Red Sea, this community is understood to have been destroyed just as it is written in the Qur’an. Archaeological studies reveal that the city is located in the area of the Dead Sea (referred in ancient history also as ‘Lake of Lut’) which stretches along the Israel-Jordan border.

[@nathansabo9821]

Literally what does any of this have to do with this interview?