Put on your blonde wigs, stand on those toes, and put on your loudest, pinkest attire. “Barbie” has officially premiered. The film seems to hearken back to the weirder films of the 90s, which has caused a bit of confusion for some, possibly even concern. Barbie and Ken themselves Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling attended the pink carpet premiere, as well as director Greta Gerwig. What was bizarre is that Gerwig’s partner in both life and writing, Noah Baumbach, was nowhere to be found.
The reason shouldn’t surprise anyone. Baumbach is supporting his union, standing in solidarity with the WGA while they continue their strike. Baumbach observed the current rules as a member. Actively abstaining from promotions for any movies or television. You can’t help but admire that. This strike continues to carry on despite a number of stumbling blocks. The WGA’s stalwart resistance to accept anything less than what’s deserved has been amazing to observe. If we were a streaming service, we might start to get a bit worried.
“My co-writer and co-creator, my partner in love and art, Noah Baumbach is not here,” Gerwig said. “He is passionately supporting the fight of the Writers Guild of America…He is a Barbie girl. Nothing in ‘Barbie’ happened without him, and nothing in Hollywood happens without writers.”
Some may side-eye Gerwig for attending the premiere, as she is also a WGA member. She has been nominated twice by the Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, and also co-wrote the “Barbie” script with Baumbach.
“Barbie” officially hits theaters July 21st, 2023.