On July 20, 2023, a real battle of giants erupted in cinemas – two loud premieres of this season were released at once – the feature film “Barbie”, in which Margot Robbie played the main role, as well as Christopher Nolan’s documentary film “Oppenheimer” exploring the life of physicist Robert Oppenheimer, also known as the “father of the atomic bomb”. And while you’re deciding which premiere to go to first, I’ll tell you some interesting facts about the world-famous Barbie doll, about the locations, and how the movie Barbie was filmed.
A World Immersed in Pink
The first thing that catches your eye when watching a Barbie movie is a lot of pink paint. Sarah Greenwood, the film’s production designer, humorously remarked after the film’s completion, “The world has run out of the color pink”.
A full-scale real Barbieland was built especially for the film. And almost the entire city is made in pink shades.
The creators of the film note that they encountered some difficulties during the filming. These included a scarcity of pink paint due to supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and unexpected adverse weather conditions in Texas in early 2021.
Barbie Sets and Filming Locations
All the Barbie film’s locations were created within the confines of the Warner Bros. studio in Hertfordshire, England. The studio was outfitted with green screens that were later filled in with animated backdrops.
Some real-world scenes were filmed on the streets of Los Angeles. The overall filming period spanned from March to July 2022, with additional reshoots taking place in March 2023.
The design of Barbie’s iconic dollhouse in the film was a collaborative effort between production designer Sarah Greenwood and set designer Kathy Spencer, who previously teamed up on the movie “Pride and Prejudice”.
Before starting work, the designers carefully and in detail studied the real Barbie doll house. It was important to achieve the same proportions and also to add all the necessary accessories. An interesting fact is that the slide from the house, which Barbie uses in the film, was suggested by actress Margot Robbie. She requested the addition of the slide to the house’s design.
Examining the house reveals its peculiar dimensions. The dolls almost touch the ceiling with their heads and crossing a room only requires a few strides. The effects in the Barbie movie are somewhat odd – the characters appear large within the confines of their environment, yet remain diminutive like actual dolls.
How Was Filmed the Iconic High Heel Scene
Filming The Barbie movie employs a plethora of techniques to bring the doll’s universe to life on screen. One of the most captivating scenes involves Margot Robbie removing her shoes, only to have her foot retain the same form as when it was shoed.
The actress chose to perform the scene herself, without the use of stand-ins. The perfect shot only materialized on the eighth take. To ensure the shoes stayed on, they were glued to tape, while Robbie used a crossbar above the camera for balance.
Brief Overview of the Barbie Movie Plot
The main character, other Barbies and Kens live peacefully in a pink world in their Barbieland. One of the Kens is unrequitedly in love with the main character. Somehow Barbie discovers that cellulite and bad breath started to appear on her legs. She’s convinced that these changes are somehow linked to her owner in the real world.
Barbie decides to figure everything out. Together with her, Ken, who is unrequitedly in love, leaves for the real world, as he simply cannot let her go alone.
Conclusion
On the surface, the Barbie movie might appear as a straightforward kid’s tale. Yet, it tactfully explores profound themes of social equitability, feminism, and patriarchy. With its delightful humor, top-tier acting, and exclusive locations, the experience it offers is truly memorable. If you’re on the fence about seeing Barbie, I’d advise you not to delay your trip to the cinema.
My family and I have already watched it!
P.S. Like many around the globe, my daughter too has embraced the sweeping trend of Barbie.
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