America Ferrera rejects criticism Barbie oversimplified feminism

Barbie actor America Ferrera recently addressed the query whether the Greta Gerwig directorial is a good take on feminism. The actress responded to criticism that both Barbie and its pivotal monologue featuring her, are "oversimplifications" of feminism. Reacting to it, Ferrera said she doesn't agree with the idea. 

America Ferrera about the need for feminism 

In a conversation with the New York Times, America emphasised the importance of feminism and how it's vital to instill even simple themes in the audience's mind. The Golden Globe winner said, “We can know things and still need to hear them out loud. It can still be a cathartic. There are a lot of people who need Feminism 101, whole generations of girls who are just coming up now and who don’t have words for the culture that they’re being raised in. Also, boys and men who may have never spent any time thinking about feminist theory.” She added, “If you are well-versed in feminism, then it might seem like an oversimplification, but there are entire countries that banned this film for a reason.”

Ferrera further added that to say that “basic feminism” isn't need, is an oversimplification. “Assuming that everybody is on the same level of knowing and understanding the experience of womanhood is an oversimplification.”

Debate around Barbie’s idea of feminism 

Last year, Barbie became the first solo female director film to cross the $1 billion global mark and broke box office records with its extraordinary commercial success. Its $1.4 billion box office receipts exceeded even the high expectations for Oppenheimer, the much-awaited historical thriller directed by Christopher Nolan.

Critics, however, had differing opinions about the movie. It was criticised for its perceived target audience and several stereotypical gender themes, even though it was applauded for its colorful graphics, humour, and empowering message. Notably, a few men who saw the movie expressed apprehension about seeing it, which added to the conversation about gender prejudice in movie selections.