Greta Gerwig’s Official Barbie Watchlist

In a Letterboxd exclusive, director Greta Gerwig guides us through her official watchlist of films that influenced Barbie. She starts with 29 films and adds a few references along the way; check how many you've seen on the Letterboxd list: boxd.it/nwwuY
Interview by Mia Vicino.
Edited by ‪@CultPopture‬.
Produced by Brian Formo.
Barbie on Letterboxd: boxd.it/bCLK
#barbie
#barbiethemovie
#gretagerwig

[@bradleykurkowski4835]

It's so hard to describe but there's something so magical about listening to someone who has like complete awareness of their art and can guide you through it so clearly without sounding pretentious

[@MinjiJeongg]

I love this comment

[@DHU11]

I’m 14 and this is deep.

[@obscurum6]

Greta is a true artist and film genius

[@al201103]

I think you described it perfectly!

[@sebastiangaleano2041]

You wrote the kind of comment I wish I could write about her, you hit all the marks about what is amazing about Gerwig and how amazing she is ♥

[@Reylandson]

I think Margot said in one of these Barbie interviews that Greta is someone who knows a lot and still manages to talk about it without sounding conceited, and I think this translates very well in all of her works. Such a brilliant mind.

[@obscurum6]

Interestingly Christopher Nolan is a pretentious hack. 🙄

[@ihateberwald]

Would watch a 2-hour interview where Mia and Greta just geeks out about movies

[@65g4]

Me too i need to add some those films to my watch list. I love The Red Shoes i need to see The Umbrellas Of Cherborg and a few others

[@getnkosi]

Absolutely!

[@HouseJug]

It would be as long as the barbie movie😂

[@OutOfAmmoOutOfTime]

I know right! I can imagine by the end it would be getting super specific “I loved the fingernail design in Suspira….the design, the colours, I was so inspired….”

[@65g4]

Shes a great interviewer

[@nataliaivonica3488]

i have a list on letterboxd called “greta gerwig talked about these films” because i can’t afford film school so i use it as a syllabus. letterboxd, you have NO IDEA how much i appreciate this interview 💗

[@emyconfer9641]

need to know your letterboxd for research purposes

[@emilyp3713]

please drop the list ohhhhhh my goodness

[@Giuly13Italy]

Yeah share the syllabus please!

[@guilhermeshiba3135]

drop the listtt

[@clicliw]

Ohhhh the list please 👀

[@filmblooms]

when a lover of cinema - especially old, kinda campy cinema - creates cinema, it always shows through their work. little women especially showed us just how dedicated gerwig is to making something that pays consistent homage to what came before her, and the fact she's doing even more of that with barbie makes me so, so excited to catch all of the references. she's truly a gem in hollywood right now!

[@matheus5230]

Old cinema isn't necessarily campy. I don't know how you could think this. You saying this really soured on me, as your comment was perfect otherwise.

[@filmblooms]

@@matheus5230 Oh no, I didn’t mean all of it. It wasn’t encompassing all of old Hollywood, just some of the examples that, by and large, /are/ campy. Also, camp isn’t a bad thing in my opinion. Some of the best films ever made are very campy.

[@celinhabr1]

@@filmblooms What are the campy movies? Because they are not campy, not on her list...

[@matheus5230]

​​​@@filmbloomsIt's true, campy doesn't mean bad, far from such. But I don't see how any of the films she mentioned qualify as "campy". What is "campy" to you? I worry that your comment might make people who don't know much about old Hollywood cinema think it is primarily campy, which is a very misleading notion. I recommend an edit to your original comment, preferably removing the whole talk about campy. Basically, I think the first phrase should just be "when a lover of cinema creates cinema, it always shows through their work". It still makes the same point across that you wanted to make. Or at least change "kinda campy" to "sometimes campy", and also a caveat that campy doesn't mean bad, please.

[@ellarose1685]

@@matheus5230 omg let her live what are you the comment police

[@lethok4084]

greta being a jacques demy girly just makes so much sense

[@alenanela1743]

And a Jacques Tati girlie 😍 makes so much sense that she took inspo from the two Jacques

[@andrewsaxer9279]

@@alenanela1743 How to do the plural of “Jacques?” Would it be “Jacquess?”

[@nataliaivonica3488]

@@andrewsaxer9279 jacqui?

[@MsMuniz-hd4kk]

Jacqueses or Jacquesses or Jacquesces

[@mrsupertash]

I think it is Jacuzzis

[@javiereduardojuarez2107]

00:30 The Wizard of Oz (1939) 1:42 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) 2:43 The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) 2:57 Model Shop (1969) 3:41 An American in Paris (1951) 4:22 Singin' in the Rain (1952) 5:15 6:44 The Red Shoes (1948) 5:24 A Matter of Life and Death (1946) 7:32 All that jazz (1979) 8:28 Heaven Can Wait (1978) 9:10 Oklahoma! (1955) 9:18 Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) 9:22 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 9:25 His Girl Friday (1940) 9:30 The Philadelphia Story (1939) 10:18 Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935) 10:32 Twentieth Century (1934) 10:56 The Ladies Man (1961) 11:18 Rear Window (1954) 11:21 And the Ship Sails On (1983) 11:26 Wings of desire (1987) 11:33 The Earrings of Madame de... (1953) 11:50 Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) 12:05 Modern Times (1936) 12:08 Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) 12:26 Grease (1978) 12:37 The Truman Show (1998) 13:14 Mon oncle (1958) 13:18 Playtime (1967) 13:38 Splash (1984) 14:10 Saturday Night Fever (1977) 14:22 The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020) 15:09 The Godfather (1972)

[@flyingneedle]

This literally looks like just a list of my favorite films, many of them criminally underrated (at least in the US where I am). Mon Oncle, Gold Diggers, Madame De... all deserve way more attention. I wasn't super amped for Barbie, but after seeing this I'm like extremely hyped.

[@femmenutritionau]

Thanks @javiereduardojuarez2107! This is exactly what I was looking for :D

[@xant8344]

Spending literally three seconds on rear window is hilarious

[@TurikoSanShiro222]

theres always this ANGEL doing this for us. MAY THE COSMOS BLESS U!

[@11ellie7]

Shouldn’t the matrix be on here?

[@amyhswan-thepinkboudoir3087]

Not only this movie is a huge love letter to Barbie, but to cinema itself. Love overflows from this production and I'm here for it!!!!

[@manuelorozco7760]

It’s tough to find good movies these days. And I initially thought this was gonna be insane

[@obscurum6]

The Barbie movie is about love in the truest sense. Oppenheimer is about hate and evil. Interesting.

[@obscurum6]

@Bebtelovimab Don't talk daft. 🙄 You don't know what love really is. 🙄

[@urmomsdealer]

I thought the movie was horrible. Even worse than the wacky same old same old super hero movies.

[@obscurum6]

@@urmomsdealer Try again. 🙄

[@dafuzzymonster]

It’s mad how Chris Nolan and Greta Gerwig collaborated to make a two part story like this.

[@DA87i]

More of these types of interviews please where people get to talk so freely and passionately about things they love

[@guillermoporras3754]

I could hear her talk about movies for ever, you can tell she loves film.

[@amcaesar]

What Gerwig most rejoices in is soundstage and matte-painting filmmaking. I hope this movie has a great many practical sequences.

[@johnk5398]

People wondering why all the so-called bros excited for Oppenheimer are also excited for Barbie - its because of Greta Gerwig. In interviews and the trailers for the film you can clearly see her reverence and respect for film history and the influence that has played in her own work. She has respect for the audience in that sense as well.

[@wogga2320]

It is because of Greta, but it is also because of Ryan Gosling (me)

[@manuelorozco7760]

@@wogga2320Same here with me

[@Ronariverah]

V interesting because othe Directors talk about how non CGI these movies are

[@jamisonwoodson8548]

It’s pretty clear already she’s gonna knock it lit the park

[@user-oe3vy8yt5v]

Why you pretending men are film nerds and somehow have better appreciation for film, like it's an achievement they are liking it. Most won't watch it cuz there's no CGI and marvel tag.

[@Siansonea]

"Barbie and disco, a little bit dorky in the best way" as a longtime Barbie fan and collector, all I can say is YES. 😁

[@smilefenn4813]

they really went all out with the set design

[@manuelorozco7760]

I like that it’s a not too bland shade of pink

[@RichardHannay]

Well it’s refreshing to see people list favourite movies that are not stuck on two decades. :)

[@louisa7043]

I love how she collected things from movies she love to make them fit into this movie and how passionate she is about what she wants to create. And how she is so detail oriented and really understands what Barbie´s essence is

[@helengordon-smith5753]

Came for Greta, stayed for the incredibly charming host! Mia did such a great job :)

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

The interviewer had great questions prepared. I also like her fae aesthetics.

[@FlowerEmblem]

The most striking thing about the host to me here was how passionate and excited she was talking to Greta about these different films. She has a genuine love in what she's presenting and it really shows and makes this such a fun interview to have.

[@jamisonwoodson8548]

Very glad passionate filmmakers still exist, and very glad women are gaining their voice in cinema!

[@Stuie299]

Note to Letterboxd, keep making longer videos. This was fantastic!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Poor Greta - clearly got told to hurry up at some stage. Amazing reference points, especially Powell & Pressburger, the greatest movie makers of all time. Mia is a ball of light in human form. So lovely

[@markdennigan1919]

Hope my theory is correct but she could also just have bad hay fever

[@catieyerkes1838]

I think that Greta was doing multiple interviews that day and had to stay on schedule

[@65g4]

​@@catieyerkes1838these sort of interviews always have a time limit. They always have a guy in the back saying please wrap up

[@martincurran4985]

Just very happy that Greta got this opportunity. Absolutely adored Lady Bird and must've seen it about 10 times in the cinema. Little Women was just an incredible achievement in filmmaking. Now, I hope Barbie is gonna be game-changer.

[@redrobotmonkey]

She's great , I thought Lady Bird was one of the most overrated movies I have ever seen. I was literally, like, that's it? When the credits rolled. Almost as much of a let down as Moonlight (Although at least that had a great 1st act).

[@avew6448]

@@redrobotmonkey I liked it. Sometimes you're not supposed to have closure.

[@boybriar]

I agree I thought Lady Bird was horrifically mediocre but I can tell Barbie is going to be my favourite movie of the past 5 years.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I like both movies equally. And that’s what partially drew me to this project

[@amymarch1780]

Greta is a mastermind. I can’t wait for Barbie. (Edit: I did, in fact, not like the movie.)

[@poocrayon4588]

I hear it was quite man hating from someone who watched it. Apparently Ken is a stand in for all men - the Barbies treat the Kens bad and make a joke of them, then the Kens overthrow barbie world but are potrayed as the Villains.

[@ryan-uz6lc]

@@poocrayon4588boo fucking hoo. you'll live

[@imaginaryvintage2695]

Ehhhhh are you Kootman or Olshansky?

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@poocrayon4588That doesn’t really make sense considering Margot said feminism involves both men and women being treated equally like a few days ago

[@Angel_Auraa]

@@poocrayon4588And she’s the producer of the movie

[@emilyhopeful]

I'm not saying it's the exact same, but there's a way she talks about movies that reminds me of the way Quentin Tarantino also talks about movies. Just a genuine love and appreciation towards cinema.

[@z.s.r.h]

you can tell the two of them LOOOVE what they do!! i love hearing them both talk about movies. so much passion and adoration.

[@emilyhopeful]

@@z.s.r.h I'm the same way, 100% agree :)

[@USERCODY]

Thought the exact same thing as I was watching!

[@lidiacazam]

Greta also reminded me of Tarantino, while they’re both their own individuals the passion feels the same ❤

[@zachcooper6236]

The breadth of their knowledge, the depth of their understanding and the immediacy with which they can recall it are all just kind of supernatural.

Greta being inspired by so many dance sequences/movies makes me even more excited for the movie because the dancing was my favourite part of the Barbie CGI movies back in the day.🥺🥰

[@elizaheathen]

THIS is the press tour content we need

[@hakusmovielists]

I adore her. I think we are witnessing the journey of a cinema master 💛

[@tonyar952]

She knows her stuff

[@obscurum6]

​@@tonyar952 Greta is an amazing filmmaker.

[@raatoraamro1093]

3 for 3 out of the gate

[@skelaiton]

You can tell she’s trying so hard not to spoil anything while answering the questions

[@fatimateresa19]

Being Spanish I looove “Women on the edge of a nervous breakdown “ it’s one of my favourites movies. I was not expecting for her to know that Spanish movie.❤❤❤

[@chrispeare]

Two people who love movies talking about movies. Please do more of these.

[@jennafaye349]

Grateful to be alive at the same time as Greta. Her love for film shines through all of her work. Simply the best!!

[@Toonksbell43]

Greta is an incredible film mind and she just knows her history so much, but also just how to apply that knowledge to make her films even better. She is an inspiration.

[@kittymarch4203]

I really like this interviewer 😊

[@dianacrow8701]

I love how many classic dance sequences are on this list!

[@janak6534]

This was a really really good interview. I barely watched any of these films and now I want to watch them all.

[@writerspen010]

Ahhh, as an avid TCM viewer growing up, I'm even more excited to see this movie!!!

[@ThisIsTheRoad]

This is definitely gonna be the Texas Chainsaw Massacre of its generation. 💖

[@coffeegirl18]

I love how much Greta Gerwig loves film and is referencing back to earlier films in Barbie which could've been very surface level. I watched some Demy films for my Film History course...They're beautiful and the colour choices and fashion are lovely.

[@Sre171]

I'm broke but I still gonna watch it in theaters dressed in pink, I just have to.

[@RobD86]

Seeing the trailer for Barbie and then hearing Greta talking about influences you can see if clearly now. It’s fantastic to have someone enthusiastic, and enjoying themselves within an interview segment where it’s not the same old thing. Never in my life was i into barbie but fair to say soon as I heard Greta was attached I’m all in! Plus, great job Mia, it’s appreciated when leaving the interviewee to just talk 👏🏻

[@tinjadog]

I’m surprised she didn’t mention “Superstar - The Karen Carpenter Story” directed by Todd Haynes, because that’s where we first witnessed the dramatic depth of Barbie’s acting abilities. 💕

[@sophrosynemind]

Ahh. It was never released though

[@pillboys]

every new video/trailer/etc i see regarding the new barbie movie makes me more and more excited to watch it.. the dedication and care and pure unbridled love that has been put into this film is truly awe-inspiring. something tells me barbie will call for a multiple showing experience; there’s no way i’m going to be satisfied with just watching it once.

[@raisl1853]

This is amazing! You can tell she took inspiration from every nook and cranny cinema had to offer, a masterclass in preparation

[@davidbcalhoun]

Barbie confirmed for the Criterion Collection ;)

[@xoxjelloxox]

Props to the interviewer who comes prepared and her love of cinematography shines Greta is incredible

[@alexandravalentina4854]

The Jacques Demy and Tati influences make so much sense!! She’s definitely one of my favorite directors right now! Always excited to see a new release from her!!

[@jaredvlogs8891]

my favorite barbie interview so far. greta is my rockstar.

[@bautibonzini2835]

Listening to all these influences just make my hope for this movie go even more up.

[@Warnerchild]

i love that she mentioned splash

[@pillboys]

i wish this was longer it was genuinely so great to just hear them gush about movies. they both clearly love what they do ❤

[@eyesopens]

greta saying cary grant could have played ken… she is so right and she should say it!!!

[@marianamacarachvilidoig1738]

there's SO MANY choreographies and music mentioned that i really wasnt expecting to find in the barbie movie

[@comfykeegs]

Best interview by far with her! The depth of her source material getting me real excited

[@volatilemolotov667]

so excited to have caught that Singin’ in the rain reference in the Ken dance sequence! absolutely loved that scene: one of my favs

[@verosanz]

Greta mentioned multiple of my favorite films. I really can't wait for Barbie; I have the feeling that this movie is made for me.

[@karlywallace2914]

Loved this interview! This girl did so great interacting with Greta and knew her movies so I loved this interaction

[@FreedomforHaiti]

I know! Interviews aren't usually like that! Sometimes interviews are frustrating because the interviewer isn't that knowledgeable--or passionate--about the subject. I loved that this interviewer made sure Gerwig got through the whole list. Other hosts wouldn't care.

[@maegantrice936]

My favorite thing about Greta making a new movie, is her doing interviews and the opportunity to hear her talk about movies 🤓

[@haruhallune]

greta is so fun to listen to discuss her inspirations, but the interviewer was also so sweet and i liked seeing her personality come through too

[@HulaHeart]

This interview could’ve been hours long and I would’ve been down to watch it.

[@ellebannana]

I absolutely got the vibe of Oz from Barbie!! The soundstages were this immersive and incredible experience as a kid and I'm so glad kids today will get to enjoy that on the big screen too

[@su_shi]

I gotta say, Mia is such a great interviewer!!! Thank you for the beautiful interview.

[@Mattisttam]

Kudos to Mia on this interview. You did an excellent job and it was fun to watch! ❤

[@isoCristian]

Greta: hypnotizing and insightful Mia: crushing the interview Me: anticipating cinema frfr

[@saracarlos9388]

Estoy absolutamente enamorada de esta intención de Letterboxd de mostrar que el cine y en general cada creación artística no es un hecho aislado; sino que todo se construye como una hermosa conversación a través del tiempo de gente inspirando a otra gente para hacer más arte.

[@jbd6616]

the background music used in this is one that is used in a study with me video i watch all the time while studying... very comforting

[@LexyBach]

just watched Barbie 2 days ago, it was SO GOOD!!!!I laughed, I cried, what an emotional rollercoaster!

[@euphoria186]

i love when people you can tell are really educated in film are the interviewers. it makes for such a fantastic and engaging interview.

[@juliarhapsody]

i could hear her explain this for hours

[@xxxafterglow]

Oh, I'm so glad you guys did this. I was wondering about her inspirations!

[@n0odIes]

mia was such a great interviewer and i had so much fun watching two women discussing movies they love ahh this was so fun and i’m excited to check out some of the films mentioned in this vid :-))

[@n0odIes]

*two women with knowledge of film. just neat

[@MichaelSavidgeStoryteller]

I am in love with this list! Films I own and love, films I need to watch, films I need to see again and appreciate on a deeper level (I'm looking at you, Umbrellas of Cherbourg!) Oh, how I miss feeling as excited for a film as I feel now! Yay, space!!

[@sorchamccarrey]

greta is a genius. loved her since hs when i saw this movie she was in, damsels in distress, on tv. you cannot go wrong with her and if you only know her from her directing, i would definitely recommend checking out her acting work. it has all the same spirit of her films and carries in it the reasons i think barbie will be a masterwork

[@raveng8217]

Have you seen the movie 20th Century Women? She acted in that too and it was an amazing film

[@ririschannelx]

I discovered her in the exact same way lol

[@sorchamccarrey]

@@raveng8217 o yea, that was a great one too. esp. annette bening in that is insane. i was already a big greta fan having like triple features with my friends at that point when i saw that one. and then when lady bird came out it was the end for me. she is fully my single favorite hollywood person these days

[@rebeccapatterson649]

She works to harm other women.

[@Memo2Self]

It wouldn't surprise me to know that Greta had also been influenced by Francis Coppola's "One From The Heart," for its use of color, theatrical lighting, deliberate artificial reality through shooting on a soundstage... I personally love "OFTH," and I'm always delighted when I tell that to someone and they reply "I thought I was the only one!" (And I saw "Barbie" this afternoon and am AGOG with joy.)

[@ellasolenne4561]

so happy for Mia, this interview is great!!

[@andrewlocke6103]

Perfect interviewer for the guest and topic. Great chemistry, learned a lot.

[@villane7427]

Wow I've been listening to Mia on the podcast for at least a year, I think, nice to finally put a face to her.

[@-www.chapters.video-]

00:00 Introduction 01:45 Influences from 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Umbrellas of Cherbourg' 03:25 Influences from Gene Kelly films 05:07 Influences from 'The Red Shoes' and Powell and Pressburger movies 09:10 "Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown", "2001", "His Girl Friday", "The Philadelphia Story" 09:45 "Gold Diggers of 1935", "Twentieth Century", "The Ladies Man" 10:32 "Rear Window", "Ship Sails On", "Wings of Desire", "The Earrings of Madame De..." 11:49 "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "Modern Times", "Pee-wee's Big Adventure", "Grease" 12:54 "Truman Show", "Mon Oncle", "Playtime", "Splash", "Saturday Night Fever", "The Godfather"

[@ry8102]

8:28 Heaven Can Wait

[@NicholsMax]

love authentic artificiality - need to see the the Barbie movie now

[@sharo8760]

I love this concept! So many people aren't familiar with these inspirations and it's great to put new movies in context with things that came before them. It's a great list, too!

[@terretsforever]

The edit on this video is lowkey great

[@bella-blue13]

I never had an specific favorite movie but with everything I’m seeing about Barbie this definitely gonna be my favorite the use of colors and designs and the little details looks all amazing

[@Honeydoyou]

I already plan on seeing it several times in theaters I know it’s gonna slap

[@bella-blue13]

@@Honeydoyou samee

[@confusedbugger]

Loving this interview, I'm learning so much

[@vokkagirl]

catherine deneuve in cherbourg and gene kelly in rochefort are literally barbie and ken

[@gretchenalice4395]

Loved the interview! Could've done without the ticking noise for the films at the bottom.

[@catjohnson007]

This was an EXCELLENT interview!!! Wow!!

[@jesssinclair3366]

So many Old Hollywood inspirations! Love it!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I like a bit of both timeless and contemporary

[@jesssinclair3366]

Agreed, it's great to see! @@manuelorozco7760

[@magicalcaramelmelody]

Wow this is by far the best interview I’ve seen about movies. The interviewer is so good, she’s a cinephile, no doubt.

[@leannemangano577]

As a classic movie fan AND a Greta Gerwig fan, this made me so happy!!!!

[@wilsonsecaur1015]

Can't quite explain it but the nervous/excited energy of the interviewer is adorable

[@jaygarcia8508]

Such an amazing & talented filmmaker. I look forward to her next project 💖

[@Lis-qz7qo]

Such a beautiful and intelligent interview ❤ we need more of these these days. Thank you 🙏🏼 very much, inspired me to watch some of the movies 😊

[@FreedomforHaiti]

Same here. I'm almost 56 and am about to FINALLY watch some of these older movies.

[@RosieBrighteyes]

Great list! So impressed with myself that I knew most of the films she referenced and could understand how they fit (thanks to TCM for the help there). I was surprised, though, that I didn’t see the original version of “The Women” with Joan Crawford and Norma Sheerer on this list. I would have thought that the technicolor fashion show scene from that movie would have served as inspo for Barbie fashion scenes.

[@JordanNMovies]

I love how this is one of letterboxd’s most viewed video. Here before a million.

[@cinna4462]

what an amazing movie, so well made i couldn’t get enough of it. so many great references, plus the music and cast was STACKED. ryan gosling was such a good ken and i loved his character

[@ShiZm0]

Greta was literally on the verge of tears when talking about Singin' in the Rain. Her passion is just so, so obvious.

[@clairefangloria]

wondering if greta watched the animated barbie movies for research

[@GrantKanigan]

What a great interview!

[@jessicarewvelasquez2664]

I loved everything about this, shout out to for knowing reallllly knowing her stuff, could watch them talk films together all day.

[@DanFlashes99]

Peter Weir might be our most underrated director. So cool of him to advise Greta

[@Mark.G475]

Cool interview!

[@user-fy4uv9wb7o]

Brb adding all these to my to-watch list