October 11th 2023.
A brand new documentary is on the way, and it is centered around the iconic Black Barbie doll. Shondaland and Netflix have teamed up to acquire worldwide rights to the film, which was unveiled at SXSW earlier this year.
The documentary, directed by Lagueria Davis, dives into the history of the first Black Barbie doll, which debuted in 1980. Davis had a personal connection to the doll's story, as she pays homage to her aunt Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby in the film.
The documentary examines the journey of the Black Barbie doll and its immense cultural impact. It features stories from Mattel insiders, consumers, cultural commentators, and historians. It also explores the importance of representation and how dolls can be crucial to the formation of identity and imagination.
Shonda Rhimes, who signed on with Netflix as part of her overall deal, is an executive producer on the film. Davis is joined by Aaliyah Williams for Just A Rebel, Grace Lay of LinLay Productions, Sumalee Montano, Camilla Hall of Lady & Bird Films, Milan Chakraborty, and Jyoti Sarda.
The documentary has been praised for its unique approach to tackling the subject of inclusivity. Movie critic Lisa Kennedy said of the film, “With its deeply amusing re-creations of actual Barbie dolls sauntering into white spaces or sitting at the end of a conference room table , the movie can be wryly playful. … But there is pain, here, too.”
The "Black Barbie" documentary comes on the heels of the "Barbie" live-action movie's success at the box office, where it earned over $1.4 billion in ticket sales. Shondaland is now expanding on the multicultural diversity that was present throughout the film.
With an amazing team of producers, writers, and directors, this documentary is sure to be one to watch. For those who want to learn more about the history of the Black Barbie doll and its cultural importance, this documentary is a must-see.
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