Has Barbie changed anything? Arab female filmmakers weigh in

The long wait for Barbie fans is finally over, as Greta Gerwig’s new film is out now in UAE and Saudi cinemas. Barbie has already notched up some impressive global records, becoming the first film directed by a female filmmaker to make $1 billion and the biggest-ever opening week to date for Warner Bros.

Apart from its financial impact, the movie has also become as much of a cultural phenomenon as the doll that inspired it – with some seeing it as opening doors for women in film, and others hailing it as a rebuke to patriarchy and materialism.

Yet, until now, the crucial voices of the Middle East's female filmmakers has been missing. The National reached out to find out what Barbie's success means to them.

Hassiba Freiha is an Emirati-Lebanese writer, director and actress whose debut feature Farah is available on Netflix. She admits that as a little girl she was a “huge fan of Barbie,” and even credits playing out the pretend life of her doll as a child with shaping her love of storytelling.

The Barbie movie is now showing in the UAE. Pictured: Barbie fans taking their photos at the interactive Barbie display at Vox cinema at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Zaha Naushad and Vafreen Farhad Patel taking their photos at the Barbie display after watching the film

Law students Devi Shukla and Kirti Bhardwaj both enjoyed the diverse and flehsed out characters of the film

Married couple Natali Lebedeva and Paul Lebedev

Rhea R said that Barbie has everything a film needs. Pictured: Rehea R, Aliza Mirza and Brianna Dasilva

Jhil Mehta and Annapurna Nair felt the film refelected what it means to enter adulthood

Alima Zaidi, Anagha Rohit and Hiya Chopra

“Cinema really needed the shot in the arm of Barbenheimer,” Freiha tells The National, referencing the phenomenon, as people got excited about the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer. “As a woman with Arab heritage, I feel excited for Arab women, because we have many women pushing boundaries and telling unique stories in a more thought-provoking way than they did decades ago.

“The commercial success of Barbie shows that the creative sectors are serious business, and I’m happy to see ‘her story’ come to life in such a relevant and intelligent way, encouraging other women to empower themselves the way we did with Barbies as young girls.”

Hana Kazim was the first Emirati graduate of the prestigious AFI Conservatory in LA. Her films have screened at international festivals such as FrightFest, and last year, she launched Abu Dhabi production house Wiswas Productions, which has several projects in the pipeline across the Arab world.

Kazim broadly agrees with Freiha’s assessment of Barbie as an inspiration for women filmmakers in the region: “I think it’s important for females to tell female stories, especially in a region where the world of females is very different and unique,” she says.

The director adds that the authentic voice provided by film is more crucial than ever in the AI age, and says she hopes the shifting gender balance in Hollywood will spread beyond the borders of Tinseltown: “My hope is that with the changing tides in the West, we find the opportunity here as filmmakers to contribute to this zeitgeist of our generation.”

For some, the idea that changing attitudes in the West could impact women filmmakers in the Middle East is problematic.

Imaginarium Films founder Rula Nasser established the Royal Film Commission of Jordan’s Filmmaker Support Programme, and has produced on more than 30 international features, including this year’s debut Jordanian Cannes feature selection, Inshallah a Boy, and 2021’s Saudi Oscar entry Scales.

Nasser has been following the cultural discourse around Barbie with interest. “As a woman today, I don’t see we resemble the Western movement, or that it works with our culture – our society’s problems with the women’s movement can’t be similar to the West,” she says. “Also, let’s not only hear from privileged women, who are not suffering like the unprivileged. The definitions of freedom might vary between them.”

Algerian director Sofia Djama’s debut feature, The Blessed, picked up three prizes at 2017’s Venice Film Festival, including the Lina Mangiacapre Award.

Djama was optimistic when she first heard Gerwig would direct Barbie. She says: “I was fascinated by the fact [a woman] had access to a colossal budget to make a film. It took me a bit of thinking to deconstruct that idea and stop wanting to celebrate."

However, that optimism was short lived. “Barbie isn't a feminist film. It's the illusion of a cause, marketed to sell rubbish." She says the notion that "this mega-advertising campaign could help give more space to women filmmakers" is "naive".

Barbie film a hit with young women after first screenings in the UAE

Like Nasser, Djama is unconvinced a Western interpretation of female empowerment is relevant to the Middle East and beyond: “The argument was ‘we need representation,’ but this isn’t representation,” she continues. “You're not building a new mindset for a little girl in Afghanistan. On the contrary, you’re giving the argument that things stay exactly the same.”

For Djama, Gerwig is not a beacon of feminist aspiration: “Greta simply proves that a woman can do as much harm as a man, and that women, like men, can choose hyper-capitalism and the promotion of consumerism in a world that is constantly sounding the alarm bell about over-consumption,” she concludes.

The film has certainly inspired strong feelings, and now UAE audiences can join the debate too. For Nasser, that can only be a good thing: “I am not sure how the film is supporting any female movement, but it’s always good to have a debate,” she says. “That’s why we have films.”

Scores in brief:

New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs

MATCH INFO

Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')

Chelsea 0

RESULTS

Bantamweight: Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) beat Hamza Bougamza (MAR)

Catchweight 67kg: Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) beat Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) beat Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg: Mosatafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) beat Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78KG: Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight: Sallah-Eddine Dekhissi (MAR) beat Abdel Enam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg: Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG) beat Rachid Hazoume (MAR)

Lightweight: Mohammed Yahya (UAE) beat Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg: Souhil Tahiri (ALG) beat Omar Hussein (PAL)

Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company%20profile

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Marvel's%20Spider-Man%202

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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage

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Starfield

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MATCH INFO

West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')

The%20specs

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')

Newcastle United 0

Ultra processed foods

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

MORE FROM ED HUSAIN: The UAE-Israel accord is a win for every Muslim

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

If you go

Flying

Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.

Touring

Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com

Results:

First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

Brief scores:

Newcastle United 1

Perez 23'

Wolverhampton Rovers 2

Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4

Red cards: Yedlin 57'

Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)

Event Horizon telescope: First ever image of a black hole revealed

Emirati astronomer collaborates with NYUAD on black holes research

Space researchers in Sharjah detect sunspot five times the size of Earth

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Canada should look past the US election outcome

There would be no Alphonso Davies without open borders

Hard-hit Canada is springing back to life – or to the already cliched 'new normal'

While you're here

Aya Iskandarani: Why Hezbollah’s man in Iraq is now worth $10 million to the US

Khaled Yacoub Oweis: Hezbollah bids to control Lebanon’s financial system

National Editorial: Hezbollah's murky dealings in Iraq have been unveiled

Ukraine%20exports

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COMPANY%20PROFILE

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