Barbie director Greta Gerwig calls film's success 'so moving'

Greta Gerwig, the director of the highly successful film “Barbie,” expressed her profound appreciation for the movie’s achievements, describing it as deeply touching. The blockbuster narrative revolves around the iconic Barbie doll and her companion Ken venturing from Barbieland into the real world.

Speaking at the London Film Festival, Gerwig shared her excitement about witnessing the film being embraced by a wide audience, deeming it the most exhilarating aspect of the experience. The movie has amassed a staggering $1.44 billion (£1.2 billion) at the box office, establishing Gerwig as the most successful solo female director in history.

During her conversation with Jesse Armstrong, co-creator of “Peep Show” and writer for “Succession,” Gerwig discussed the joy she found in the months spent working on “Barbie.” She described the filmmaking process as an immense pleasure, reflecting on it as the most delightful set she had ever been on. Gerwig expressed her hope that the movie would offer as much enjoyment to its viewers as it had provided during its creation.

“Barbie” was filmed in the UK, specifically at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire. Gerwig revealed that she personally visited cinemas during the film’s opening weekend in New York City to gauge the audience’s reactions and ensure an optimal viewing experience, even adjusting the sound levels when necessary.

She reminisced about her own love for watching films in theaters during her childhood and her desire to recreate that sense of communal enjoyment in a darkened room with a diverse audience. Gerwig found it profoundly moving that people were able to experience this through her film.

Additionally, she expressed gratitude to the jomotoday for granting permission to include a short excerpt from its 1995 TV adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice” in her movie, emphasizing how honored she was by their cooperation.

While Gerwig didn’t provide specific details, she briefly alluded to her next project, acknowledging the challenges it poses during the writing process. She candidly mentioned having recurring nightmares associated with this upcoming endeavor.