The premiere ofBarbie’s first live-action film is here, and for some time now, nobody can stop talking about it. This movie, centered on the world’s most famous doll, has the world buzzing with anticipation over Margot Robbie’s performance as Barbie on her journey of self-discovery in the real world.
Renowned directorGreta Gerwigheads this production based on a script she co-wrote with Noah Baumbach and, based on what she has audiences accustomed to,Barbiewill hopefully become awildly acclaimed production. As if itsbrilliant marketing strategywasn’t doing a great job on its own, there’s another major detail aboutBarbiethat has turned it into a talking point: it premieres on the same day as Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer, the other 2023 film that people can’t stop talking about.
Barbiehits theaters following numerous animated films starring this Mattel character, vowing a production that everyone will enjoy, regardless of their age or whether they love or hate Barbie. In order to develop this highly anticipated production, its director drew inspiration from a huge number of films across all genres, both film classics and smaller productions, and she discussed their influence on the upcoming film withLetterboxd. As we awaitBarbie’s premiere, here’s a look at all the productions that inspired it.
The Wizard of Oz
This classic film has influenced all kinds of productions for decades, so it’s not strange that it has also made its mark on Gerwig and her upcoming film.The Wizard of Ozis a 1939 production that brought L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel to the silver screen, and it was responsible for launching actress and singer Judy Garland to absolute stardom. This cinematic masterpiece was a great source of inspiration forBarbie’s director, primarily for its painted sets that, according to her, make it look “authentically artificial”. The movie also features several nods toThe Wizard of Oz, and you can even spot it running in the Barbie Land cinema.
Related:Barbie: What Story Does Greta Gerwig’s Upcoming Film Have to Tell?
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
The Umbrellas of Cherbourgis a 1964 film written and directed by Jacques Demy and starring Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo. It follows the story of two young people who have a brief love affair that leads to their separation. Greta was inspired by the use of colors and the surrealism of this French production, and also drew inspiration from one of the main character’s hairstyles to create one of Barbie’s signature looks.
The Young Girls of Rochefort
The Umbrellas of Cherbourgis not the only Jacques Demy film that influencedBarbie: Gerwig was also struck byThe Young Girls of Rochefort, another musical comedy by the French filmmaker, featuring Deneuve and her sister, Françoise Dorléac. This 1967 film follows a pair of twin sisters as they seek to find love.The Young Girls of Rochefortis a colorful production with a signature style that helped the director in her search for her own film’s identity. Moreover, the iconic hats of the film’s main characters also inspired one of Barbie’s props in this live-action movie.
Model Shop
It is quite obvious that Jacques Demy’s films were a major source of inspiration for Gerwig in developingBarbie, and she also cited the 1969 romantic filmModel Shopas one of the productions that contributed to her own film’s world, particularly given Demy’s gift for creating unique universes based on his own rules in each and every one of his productions.
An American in Paris
An American in Parisis a Vincente Minnelli film starring Gene Kelly and presenting Leslie Caron in her film debut. This 1951 production follows Jerry Mulligan, an American war veteran who moves to Paris attempting to make it as an artist. Kelly is an actor who greatly influenced Gerwig’s career, and she even lists him as her favorite one growing up (perThe Dissolve). What stands out most for the director inAn American in Parisis its opening, which features the character in his small apartment performing his morning routine. Due to the size of the unit, all the furniture and decorations inside it shift around and fold into one another, which makes for a very visually rewarding scene.
Singin’ in the Rain
Singin' in the Rainis another great classic in the history of cinema, and one of the most important films inGene Kelly’s career, so it is only fitting that it belongs on the list of productions that inspiredBarbie. To top it off, this musical comedy is one of Gerwig’s favorite films. Among all the elements in this masterpiece that inspired her own production, she specifically points out the dream ballet scene, which features Don Lockwood and Cyd Charisse in an iconic and dramatic sequence.
The Red Shoes
Another ballet film that inspired Greta in creatingBarbieisThe Red Shoes, a movie written, directed and produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger that marked ballerina Moira Shearer’s acting debut. This production, which follows a ballerina as she is torn between her career and love, inspired some ofBarbie’s scenes, and the cat-eye glasses worn by Boris Lermontov provided the inspiration for one of Ryan Gosling’s Ken’s most iconic props.
A Matter of Life and Death
Just as with Jacques Demy’s films, Gerwig credits several movies by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger as a source of inspiration for her live-action film.A Matter of Life and Deathis among these productions, since its innovative approach to special effects struck a chord with the director. This 1946 film starred David Niven, Roger Livesey, Kim Hunter and Raymond Massey, and it went on to become one of the best films in English cinema history.
All That Jazz
All That Jazzis a Bob Fosse masterpiece that not only went down in history as a classic, but won a slew of nominations and awards, including four Academy Awards for Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing. The most inspiring elements for Gerwig in this production were the dance audition scene, right at the beginning of the film, and the scenes featuring Jessica Lange as the Angel of Death.
Heaven Can Wait
The 1978 filmHeaven Can Waithas an extremely peculiar plot that still feels human, which is the aspect that Gerwig highlights the most about this production, along with some of the film’s special effects. This Warren Beatty and Buck Henry movie follows Joe Pendleton, a man who was mistakenly taken to heaven, and has to team up with his guardian angel to find a way back to Earth.
