Barbie world - 19th July 2023

Barbie's arrived on Europe's cinema screens. At the film's London premiere, fans dressed in pink and actors walked along the pink carpet.

The fun film has a message, says Margot Robbie. She's Barbie in the film.

Margot Robbie: "I mean, you kind of have to see it to really understand how much this movie is packing in. There's, there's so much joy and it's hilarious. It's very clever. It's got a lot to say. It's a crazy ride. It's visually spectacular. It really is unique. I, I cannot think of another movie that's, that's like it."

Barbies were first sold in 1958. Many people have grown up with the doll. But some people see problems with Barbie. She gives a false idea about women's bodies.

The film's director, Greta Gerwig, thinks Barbie's a very interesting doll.

Greta Gerwig: "I think it, really by not denying that she's full of controversy. I think that that was part of what was so interesting about her was that, you know, in some ways she's been ahead of culture in some ways, she's been behind it, but she's definitely been a topic of conversation for 64 years."

Over the years, Barbie's identity has changed, and the film shows these changes. It includes a President Barbie, a Judge Barbie and a gymnast Barbie. These days, there are also Barbie dolls of various sizes and body shapes and from different cultures.

This mix is important for Ziya Haji.

Ziya Haji: "I think it's good and it's representing the world as it is having more authentic sort of dolls represented because that is what society is. Not everyone does look like Barbie, not everyone has plastic perfect. So I think it's quite nice to have diversity that is represented through the Barbie dolls and and have it represented in the film as well. And then again, with the people who are here, it's quite amazing."

Famous London sites, taxis and phone boxes were painted in Barbie pink for the premiere. People normally think of pink as a colour for little girls. Will this now change?

Actor Emerald Fennell sees these ideas as old-fashioned.

Emerald Fennell: "That's our kind of culture really, is that anything that's perceived as girly or sparkly or pink is, is suddenly seen as kind of inferior or in some ways sort of frivolous. But it's not the case. I mean, there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't be doing whatever you wanted wearing a pink jumper."

Atha Akumia's a fan of all things Barbie. This includes wearing pink.

Atha Akumia: "She's cute. She wears pink. She is friendly, lively, bubbly, the friends she makes, and just everything. Barbie's everything, literally, yeah."