Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie

Showings

Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Thu, May 3, 2018 6:45 PM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Fri, May 4, 2018 10:00 AM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Sun, May 6, 2018 10:00 AM
Film Info
Runtime:90
Copyright:2018
Country Listing:USA
Premiere Status:International Premiere
Rating:G
Festival Info
Festival Year:2018
Language:English
Program Category:Special Presentations
Film Subjects:America
Capitalism & Big Business
Her Story
Television & Popular Culture
Cast/Crew Info
Director(s):Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
Producer(s):Cristan Crocker
Editor(s):Azin Samari
Writer(s):Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
Cinematography:Geoffrey Franklin
Composer:Craig Richey

Description

Straight off the toy shelves and into the ire of feminist politics, Mattel's Barbie has always blazed her own trail. For 59 years, the world's most loved/hated doll has stoked fiery debates about her unrealistic body, stereotypical social portrayal and monochromatic complexion. By 2014, the momentum of women's rights campaigns had parents rejecting the toy's messaging and Mattel facing an historic first—a Barbie sales slump. Filmmaker Andrea Blaugrund Nevins seizes upon this extraordinary moment of cultural shift to document Project Dawn, the doll's radical redesign. Embedded in the offices of the all-female Barbie management team, cameras capture the white-knuckle decisions governing every millimetre of adjustment. Famous feminists from Gloria Steinem to Roxane Gay illustrate how every curve has both supported and set back beauty inclusiveness. Barbie's makeover will either force the 11.5" lightning rod into the 21st century or leave her in the pink dark ages. Myrocia Watamaniuk

Additional Information

National Post - "From Won’t You Be My Neighbor? to Love, Gilda, the top 10 to watch at this year's Hot Docs"

POV - "Review: 'Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie.'"

The Kit - "10 MUST-SEE DOCUMENTARIES AT THE HOT DOCS FILM FESTIVAL"