Simu Liu has very quick rose to fame, from working in the sitcom Kim’s Convenience to being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Shang Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and now, being part of the upcoming Barbie movie, which will no doubt be one of the most culturally significant movies of all time, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
Since Barbie has been such a massive role model for girls growing up while doing press for this movie, Liu was asked about this movie will have an impact on the next generation in terms of gender and diversity.
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Simu Liu Talks About Gender Roles
Simu Liu prefaced this by saying that he is not the most qualified person to talk on this subject and the cultural impact that Margot Robbie’s Barbie has had but something that he did notice while making this movie was how integrated gender roles are in the psychology of children.
“I think there are people far more qualified to speak on Barbie’s cultural impact because I didn’t grow up playing with her but will say I think what this movie has opened my eyes to is just how rigid and ridiculous some of these roles can be.” he said, “For examples, some of the roles that were prevalent in society while I was growing up which is like, boys wear this. Girls wear this. Only girls can wear this and only guys can do this and boys can’t play with that because that’s too girly. I think all of that is just a load of bull crap.”
He mentioned some examples from when he was growing up, like how children are told what things are only for girls and what things are only for boys, how girls are supposed to act, and what boys are supposed to do. He stated that all of these roles that are assigned to people are not good and added that Barbie hopes to help get rid of these.
Simu Liu Talks About Barbie Breaking Gender Roles
Simu Liu went on to say that Greta Gerwig, the director of Barbie, has done an excellent job at portraying this one screen with the movie and getting rid of the entire concept of gender roles. He also added that people should just be the best versions of themselves rather than trying to follow illogical rules that are set for their gender.
“This movie has done such a fantastic job and Greta has done such a fantastic job of kind of just putting the nail on the coffin. Let’s just be the best, most unapologetic version of ourselves. Let’s express ourselves exactly the way that we want and let’s not judge other people for doing the same. There is space for everyone to be their best Ken or Barbie selves.” He said.
He then went on to say that rather than judging people for how they express themselves, they should, to fit the theme of the movie, be the best Ken and Barbie they can be, joking that the only person who can is Alan, played by Michael Cera.
Barbie will be released on the 21st of July, 2023.
Also Read: “You don’t have to be blonde, white, or X, Y, Z”: Simu Liu on Why Barbie is a Superior Movie
Source: Youtube
