The Barbie movie’s message about diversity and inclusion: discuss. Hong Kong feminist forum unpacks its empowerment of women

The founder of social enterprise Encompass HK, which fosters workplace diversity and inclusion, did not like Barbie dolls but says the film is a different story

The film ‘challenges gender roles and empowers women’, says Benita Chick, who promises a ‘fun and open-minded discussion’ on the movie’s message at a forum

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Margot Robbie promotes “Barbie” in Seoul in July. A social enterprise that promotes workplace diversity and inclusion in Hong Kong will host a “fun and open-minded discussion”’ about the film’s message this month. Photo: AFP

Kylie Knott

Published: 4:15pm, 5 Sep 2023Updated: 9:55pm, 8 Sep 2023

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will have noticed that the world has been gripped by Barbiemania, fuelled by the film starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as Ken.

It has been a huge hit: Barbie is the highest-grossing Warner Bros movie of all time, making more than US$1.34 billion globally so far.

Barbie packs some girl-power punch: Greta Gerwig is the first woman to independently direct a billion-dollar movie, while Robbie was reportedly paid US$12.5 million to star in it.

The film has also sparked conversations about feminism and patriarchy, and Benita Chick Ben-yue, founder of social enterprise Encompass HK, which encourages diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, wants Hong Kong to jump on the pink bandwagon.

Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in a still from “Barbie”. Photo: Warner Bros

“Whether you like the film or not, it makes you reflect on how it challenges traditional gender roles and empowers women,” says Chick.

To help unpack some of the issues, Chick is hosting “Barbie: Unboxing Patriarchy – A Feminist Reflection” at the Playground.work co-working space in Sheung Wan on September 20.