this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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For some women in China, "Barbie" is more than just a movie — it's also a litmus test for their partner's views on feminism and patriarchy.

The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.

One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that's mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.

According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for "Barbie" and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is "stingy" and a "toxic chauvinist," according to Insider's translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie's themes, "then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions," the user wrote.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 2 years ago (6 children)

For those who saw the movie: do you think this test is valid?

[–] [email protected] 72 points 2 years ago

I don't know I one should derive a scientific test out of it, but if a guy gets batshit crazy over the movie, then he might not have the best relation towards independent women.

[–] [email protected] 71 points 2 years ago (2 children)

As a man, I would say sort of. The movie does not shy away from a very obvious feminist message combined with an unsubtle (hilarious) spoof of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, it's still a matter of personal taste. I really liked the movie, but I could see how someone would find it a bit too simplistic and formulaic in its story, completely independent from its themes. Not liking female directors in general just because they're female is complete bullshit though.

[–] [email protected] 46 points 2 years ago

To be fair it doesn't say the boyfriend has the like the movie, just understand it and not bash it mindlessly.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago

I haven't seen it, but the criticism I've heard is that the feminist message is a pretty obvious one and not very deep. I guess you don't go to the Barbie movie to "make you think", but I've also heard that the movie spends a bit too long on that obvious message and it gets boring at parts. I think the majority of criticisms aren't about the message itself, more about the execution of it.

Buuutt this is the internet and the ridiculous voices are always the loudest lol

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 years ago

As a gay man, I say yes. I get to watch the hetero world from the outside and yeah, Barbie nails it. Folks just don't like the mirror.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (4 children)

It's not a movie for my taste as I prefer to watch sci-fi, action, thriller or historical themed movies. So if I was forced or coerced into seeing it, I would probably hate it too. Then again, I haven't seen it so don't really know for sure.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 years ago

It doesn't say you have to like the movie, just understand its themes.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I second your opinion and I'm a woman. I just never liked the franchise, no matter how good the movie is, I don't think I'd enjoy watching it either.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

You might not like it, but I have huge barbie issues and went with my 11 yo thinking it would be okay and poke a but of fun and have a slightly feminist bent. I truly loved every minute and am surprised how much I did. It is formulaic but done really well.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

It's rare, but this franchise owner understands very well that a lot of people hate Barbie. It's even in the trailer "If you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you."

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I tend to prefer similar movies as you and I loved the movie. It is a VERY fantastical, intelligent, existential, and heady movie. It's one of the most expert navigations of complex social dynamics I've ever seen and has an absolute shitload of cinema references and easter eggs to boot.

Don't let the surface fool you. The franchise is just a vehicle for Greta's ideas to reach a mass audience.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

The franchise is a vehicle to sell barbies.

Mattel decided this was the best way in the current cultural mood.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Vehicles tend to have space for many things. Writers also tend to not be massive corporations even while speaking for said corporations.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

That's like saying The Lego Movie and the Lego Batman movie were a vehicle to sell Legos. That's pretty obviously not all they were, and just because they could sell toys that doesn't mean they weren't also good movies.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

It kinda feels like you could come away with any interpretation you want. Like you could say Barbie put down a slave revolt, and its totally valid.

So yeah, maybe the test is valid.