I saw a tweet the other day that was like "a big problem today is that people can only perceive the political in art rather than the aesthetic." And I think that definitely applies to Barbie amongst other films. The feminist parts were immediately picked up but there seemed to be a lot less discussion on set design and the aesthetic of barbie world vs the politics of barbie world. Although I don't think the aesthetic and political are completely inseparable it does seem that people will watch a film and take away themes from dialogue rather than the use of images. Its why films by Parajanov or Peleshian seem so different as they take a much different approach focusing on imagery to tell a story. Also I presume more people heard about the ben shapiro video due to people responding to it than actually seeing the video itself.
Liked this approach. Adorns really is a good lens to peep through for a movie like this. My first inclination was to think qua some Deleuzian mishmash ("But Mattel knows nothing about feminism. Or assholes, for that matter,") but I'm glad I read your take.
But ... maybe a Deleuze style take would be the best way to read the negative partisanship that juices Ben Shapiro's strange attempts at Barbie criticism. A desiring-machine that has had its desire enucleated. Clenched-jaw pursed-frown masculinity being the body without organs, and Shapiro being always/already caught up in the movement and semicoherent intensities of the body. A becoming-nazi, if you will.
I saw a tweet the other day that was like "a big problem today is that people can only perceive the political in art rather than the aesthetic." And I think that definitely applies to Barbie amongst other films. The feminist parts were immediately picked up but there seemed to be a lot less discussion on set design and the aesthetic of barbie world vs the politics of barbie world. Although I don't think the aesthetic and political are completely inseparable it does seem that people will watch a film and take away themes from dialogue rather than the use of images. Its why films by Parajanov or Peleshian seem so different as they take a much different approach focusing on imagery to tell a story. Also I presume more people heard about the ben shapiro video due to people responding to it than actually seeing the video itself.
Liked this approach. Adorns really is a good lens to peep through for a movie like this. My first inclination was to think qua some Deleuzian mishmash ("But Mattel knows nothing about feminism. Or assholes, for that matter,") but I'm glad I read your take.
But ... maybe a Deleuze style take would be the best way to read the negative partisanship that juices Ben Shapiro's strange attempts at Barbie criticism. A desiring-machine that has had its desire enucleated. Clenched-jaw pursed-frown masculinity being the body without organs, and Shapiro being always/already caught up in the movement and semicoherent intensities of the body. A becoming-nazi, if you will.
Sorry, I'm too full of caffeine.
No I love it and don't worry you can never be too full of caffeine