17-7-2023 (MANILA) After facing controversy weeks before its premiere in Asia, the live-action adaptation of “Barbie,” one of the world’s most iconic dolls, is set to hit Philippine theaters this Wednesday, July 19, without any cuts. The Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has given the film a PG rating, which means parental guidance is advised. The movie will also premiere without cuts in other Asian countries, including Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.
“Barbie” stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, with a star-studded cast that includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell. The film also features Ana Cruz Kayne, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans, Jamie Demetriou, Connor Swindells, Sharon Rooney, Nicola Coughlin, and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren.
The movie is directed by Greta Gerwig, known for her coming-of-age films that shed light on women. Gerwig shared her own Barbie story, revealing a “visceral” memory of the world-famous doll, which was created by Ruth Handler in 1959. Gerwig said that she was always waiting for her neighbor’s children to give her their hand-me-down Barbies.
“As a little girl, I liked the brightest pinks, but Barbie Land would incorporate the full spectrum of the color, so it was important to figure out where those bright pinks would live alongside our palest, pastel pink, and of course every tone of pink in between,” Gerwig said.
In the movie, Barbie lives in neon pink Barbie Land, and Gerwig confirmed that there is no wind, sun, gravity, or water in the make-believe world. However, the eponymous doll goes through a “quarter-life crisis” and sets out to explore the outside world beyond the pinkness of her known world.
Gerwig explained that the movie’s visuals would complement its narrative, drawing inspiration from 1950s soundstage musicals. “I want everyone to feel like they can reach up to the screen and touch everything, because that’s the great thing about dolls and toys,” she said.
