this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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For some women in China, "Barbie" is more than just a movie — it's also a litmus test for their partner's views on feminism and patriarchy.

The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.

One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that's mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.

According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for "Barbie" and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is "stingy" and a "toxic chauvinist," according to Insider's translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie's themes, "then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions," the user wrote.

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[–] [email protected] 370 points 1 year ago (69 children)

Women in the US are doing that too.

I guess it works, to a point. If your man throws a Shapiro-esque fit over this movie he probably isn't great to be around the rest of the time.

[–] [email protected] 50 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (13 children)

His critique of it is basically that it's too "woke" but he really has nothing to say about the essential elements of any movie (plot, tone, character development, etc). He's either unable or unwilling to separate politics from his review. It's like he doesn't know a movie can be well made even if you disagree with its themes.

[–] [email protected] 33 points 1 year ago (5 children)

If you ever have (unfortunately) heard of his absolutely dogshit book, then his inability to understand deeper meanings, subtext, themes, and to grapple with a competent plot should not surprise you in the least. Robert Evans, Cody Johnston, and Katy Stoll read it through on Behind The Bastards in a few episodes. Imagine the novelization of a Steven Seagal movie adaption of a Jack Ryan plotline. Combine that with how ol Benny really wanted, and failed, to be a screenplay writer, and it makes sense his absolute hatred for modern Hollywood movies that don't say all the things he likes.

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Shapiro-esque is such an apt description.

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Both my wife and i wanted to go equally. I wanted to thirst on Ken and I did...but on the serious note, its a good movie for both genders to see for seperate but equal reasons. Barbie gotta stand up and step out, be herself. and Ken has to learn what it means to be Ken without Barbie. This movie would of helped me not be such an incel in my formative years.

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[–] [email protected] 213 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I have to admit, Barbie becoming a Chinese feminist icon was not on my 2023 bingo card. Anyone taking bets on when we're gonna get a kpop version of this classic?

[–] [email protected] 146 points 1 year ago (14 children)

Barbie starting the revolution in China? Hopefully other countries as well. Good timeline.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Little Pink Cookbook!

Little Pink Cookbook!

Little Pink Cookbook?

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[–] [email protected] 137 points 1 year ago (40 children)

I think if anyone gets mad at a Barbie movie or some random article on the internet that has nothing to do with them, that's a good sign they're emotionally unstable

[–] [email protected] 77 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I'd call it emotionally immature.

A surprising number of the people I grew up or work with act like they're still in high school when it comes to social/interpersonal skills -- these people are all well over 30 years old.

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[–] [email protected] 116 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am genuinely amazed this movie wasn't banned in China

[–] [email protected] 73 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Well they included the nine-dash line in the movies silly map (I believe Vietnam banned the movie because of this) and there's no zombies or Winnie the Pooh references so all good as far as the CCP goes.

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[–] [email protected] 79 points 1 year ago (12 children)

If you base your relationship on a fucken Hollywood movie then that should be a litmus test in and of itself.

Also, guys, if your girlfriend constantly feels the need to "test" your relationship, then she's not the right one. Thats a massive red flag.

[–] [email protected] 130 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I mean there's no harm in using a cultural moment as a starting point to see if two people are compatible?

I think the language in the article and perhaps from the influencers is a bit rigid.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that if a man has valid reasons for disliking the movie they are automatically exist. The idea is that the film is causing a knee jerk reaction in men who are otherwise prone to hiding their misogyny.

I didn't get a lot of the inside jokes about the product. And the barbies and Ken's did not unite to kill Will Ferrell.

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[–] [email protected] 80 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Wanting to test if your new boyfriend is a misogynist is hardly a red flag. The article doesn't say anything about testing dudes constantly. It doesn't even say he has to like the movie, just understand some of its themes.

[–] [email protected] 71 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's not basing the relationship off of the movie. It's just a way to test if any red flags come up.

[–] [email protected] 50 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I think it's healthy to observe your partners reaction to things. Especially when it comes to things that are quite important for a long term relationship, like their thoughts about gender roles. If you organically went to see the movie and your partner is clearly displaying red flags from it, then that's just good (not the red flags but that you now know).

I guess the trickery of going to assess them specifically can be seen as a asshole move. But I think it's a good move compared to alternatives ^^

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[–] [email protected] 68 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (34 children)

I thought the movie criticizes both extreme feminism and male chauvinism, or did I watch a different Barbie movie?

[–] [email protected] 75 points 1 year ago

That's what the article is saying as well.

Any gendered chauvinism sucks and patriarchy causes suffering to anyone.

And if someone comes out of the movie angered by this knowledge, they can be a troublesome person to other people.

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[–] [email protected] 52 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Correct. Honestly, if a dude gets offended by a movie that says “hey dude, learn how to love and value yourself without basing all of your sense of self on your romantic relationship to a woman and you’ll be much happier”, they are NOT a catch at all and they need to shed some shit about their lives.

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[–] [email protected] 50 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Of note....American conservatives/confederates absolutely detest the Barbie movie.

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[–] [email protected] 48 points 1 year ago (27 children)

For those who saw the movie: do you think this test is valid?

[–] [email protected] 94 points 1 year ago (8 children)

As a man, I would say sort of. The movie does not shy away from a very obvious feminist message combined with an unsubtle (hilarious) spoof of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, it's still a matter of personal taste. I really liked the movie, but I could see how someone would find it a bit too simplistic and formulaic in its story, completely independent from its themes. Not liking female directors in general just because they're female is complete bullshit though.

[–] [email protected] 60 points 1 year ago

To be fair it doesn't say the boyfriend has the like the movie, just understand it and not bash it mindlessly.

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[–] [email protected] 85 points 1 year ago

I don't know I one should derive a scientific test out of it, but if a guy gets batshit crazy over the movie, then he might not have the best relation towards independent women.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 year ago

As a gay man, I say yes. I get to watch the hetero world from the outside and yeah, Barbie nails it. Folks just don't like the mirror.

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My boyfriend and i can't wait to watch this movie 😊 💕 (but cinema got expensiv dudeee 🥲)

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Please partake in the culture war, don't just let conservatives win by default.

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 year ago (27 children)

Is it cool if I just don't watch it? It doesn't really appeal to me.

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 1 year ago (5 children)

That's interesting. I read that the film was about radical feminism, but gender switched with Ken as the feminist to overthrow the Barbie-dominating system. Really look forward to seeing the movie.

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 year ago (3 children)

They're allowed to watch Barbie in China? How censored is it?

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