Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the creative minds behind the hit movie “Barbie,” appeared at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a special Q&A session moderated by writer Tony Kushner. The duo discussed the unexpected success of their film, reflecting on its journey from script to screen and the unusual circumstances that contributed to its triumph.
During the Q&A, Gerwig, 40, expressed her astonishment at the film’s remarkable reception, stating that the experience felt surreal. Tony Kushner began the discussion by praising “Barbie” as a “masterpiece,” a comment that left Gerwig deeply moved. She shared that Kushner had recently sent her and Baumbach, 54, an email praising their work on the film, which she described as “incredible.”
Noah Baumbach echoed Gerwig’s sentiment and revealed that he had initially hesitated to take on the “Barbie” project. However, he eventually encouraged Gerwig to direct the film herself after they had completed the screenplay. The creative duo embarked on their writing journey during the early days of the pandemic, a time of uncertainty in the film industry. Baumbach explained that the isolation during the pandemic allowed them to connect with a future world where movies and theaters would thrive once more.
“Barbie” was initially written during a period when the film industry was grappling with the challenges of the pandemic. Gerwig, who ultimately directed the movie, noted that this unique environment allowed them to take a bold approach to the iconic Mattel toy brand.
Despite the initial challenges and uncertainties, “Barbie” exceeded all expectations, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 with a global box office earnings of $1.4 billion since its release in July. Furthermore, Ryan Gosling received a Gotham Awards nomination for his supporting role as Ken in the film, adding to its growing list of accolades during the awards season.
Gerwig and Baumbach attributed part of the film’s success to the protection and fearlessness that came from writing the script during a time when the prospects of making movies appeared unlikely. This approach allowed them to create a script that they loved and that might have been considered overly ambitious in other circumstances.
The unexpected triumph of “Barbie” has left its creators in awe, and they remain grateful for the unique journey that led to its success.
