Barbie Mania in Russia: Amidst a digital cacophony, some netizens bemoaned the scarcity of tickets for exclusive screenings, while others lambasted the abysmal fidelity of bootlegged versions. In a geopolitical chessboard of sanctions, Russian consumers have found ways to get embargoed goods. They bypass restrictions by using countries that haven’t imposed measures against Moscow. They even travel abroad to bring back these prized possessions.
Meanwhile, a Barbie trend has taken over Russian social media, captivating influencers and celebrities who showcase their Barbie-inspired looks. “Which Barbie look do you like?” asked a Moscow luminary as another excitedly showed off her new Barbie-themed clothes. The enthusiasm spread to virtual doll makeovers, with a blogger requesting her audience to recognize her Barbie avatar. Not all embrace plastic fashion. Miss Russia 2023, Zhanna Specialnaya, told TASS she doesn’t fully identify with the “Barbie” label but likes the color pink.
Despite the enthusiasm, Russian authorities are not amused. Lawmakers and officials criticize Barbie, a toy created by Mattel, as promoting morally bankrupt Western ideology. Media critiques extend beyond the doll, linking her to America’s cultural decline and geopolitics. Journalist Dmitry Kosyrev criticized Barbie as a “blonde interloper” who comments on women’s roles. He noticed the doll’s geopolitical mistake in Asia; a movie portrayal of the South China Sea resulted in the film being banned in Vietnam.
Maria Butina, a former spy in Russia’s Duma, wants to eliminate Barbie imagery. She argues that it promotes LGBTQ themes, stating, “This goes beyond traditional gender roles and relationships, imposing foreign ideals on us.” Questions about the doll’s unrealistic proportions resurface. Russian government critics argue that the doll and its movie could negatively impact girls’ self-perception. Yet it’s unclear if these officials have seen the film.
Academic voices weigh in, too. A faculty member at Moscow State Pedagogical University postulates that Barbie’s long-term impact may be more insidious, shaping a generation disinclined toward motherhood and inclined toward careerism. United Russia, the ruling party, plans to legislate morality in playtime. A bill is being proposed to check children’s toys and games for compliance with Russia’s “spiritual and moral ideology,” according to Tatyana Butskaya, a Duma official.
The verdict may be tangled in bureaucracy, but the film’s global allure is indisputable. In a paradoxical twist, a popular film has captivated audiences and influenced Russia’s social and political fabric.
Our Reader’s Queries
Can I watch Barbie in Russia?
In March 2022, Hollywood studios withdrew their movies from Russia. Despite this, a thriving black market for screenings of popular films like Barbie and Oppenheimer has sprung up in major Russian cities such as Moscow, St Petersburg, and Kazan.
Is the Barbie movie playing in Russia?
The Barbie movie isn’t being screened in Russia. I’m at a shopping center in Moscow. There’s a massive pink house set up next to the food court. Inside, everything is pink – from the furniture to the popcorn. There are also life-size cardboard figures of Barbie and Ken, both with big smiles on their faces.
Do they have Barbies in Russia?
Voltskaya claimed she was likely among the earliest individuals in the Soviet Union to have the opportunity to play with a Barbie, thanks to an uncle who brought one back from a trip to Denmark. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Barbies started to be officially available for purchase in Russia.
Who is the Russian girl who looks like Barbie?
Valeria Valeryevna Lukyanova, also known as ??????? ??????????? ???’?????? in Ukrainian and ??????? ?????????? ????????? in Russian, was born in 1985 in Moldova. She is a well-known Ukrainian model famous for her striking resemblance to a Barbie doll. Currently, she resides in Mexico.