Greta Gerwig breaks silence after Oscars snub

In January, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced all the nominees for the 96th Academy Awards. Although Barbie, the highest-grossing film of 2023, obtained eight nominations, the lack of recognition for Margot Robbie, in the category of Best Leading Actress, and Greta Gerwig in the shortlist for Best Director, drew quite a lot of attention.

Almost a month has passed since the gala - enough time for Gerwig think about she feels about being disregarded. She finally broke her silence about the lack of recognition for her own work as director of the film, but also for leading actress Margot Robbie.

“Of course I wanted it for Margot,” Gerwig told TIME magazine. “But I’m just happy we all get to be there together”. She also spoke about the praise she has received for the film at the Oscars: “A friend’s mom said to me, ‘I can’t believe you didn’t get nominated. I said, ‘But I did. I got an Oscar nomination.’ She was like, ‘Oh, that’s wonderful for you!’ I was like, ‘I know!’”

Although Gerwig was not included in the Best Director category, she was recognized in the Best Adapted Screenplay shortlist.

Margot Robbie’s words after not being nominated

In a discussion for the actors union (SAG-AFTRA), the Australian actress was questioned about the topic and although she said she did not feel sad, she did point out the lack of inclusion of Greta Gerwig as a little disappointing.

“There is no way to feel sad when you know you are so blessed. Obviously I think Greta should be nominated as a director because what she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing, what she pulled off, it really is. But it’s been an incredible year for all the films,” Robbie said, according to Variety.

Additionally, the star said she was happy about the film’s eight Oscar nominations, which included Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Ryan Gosling, Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and two nominations for Best Original Song.

“For everyone to get the recognition they have had is simply incredible, and the recognition for best film. We set out to do something that would shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact. And it’s already done that, and some, way more than we ever dreamed it would. And that is truly the biggest reward that could come out of all of this,” she said.

She concluded, “I just suspect it’s bigger than us. It’s bigger than this movie, it’s bigger than our industry. I’ve never been a part of something like this. I’ve done comic book stuff and that gets a big reaction, but this felt very different. It still feels very different. And I can’t think of a time when a movie’s had this effect on culture. And it’s amazing to be in the eye of the storm”.