This semester, Saint Anselm is inviting students to explore the films that stole the box office in summer 2023—Barbie and Oppenheimer. Through a new class offered by Professor Lupo titled “Unboxing Barbenheimer: Gender and Genre,” students analyze the moral and societal dilemmas surrounding the culture-war which ensued when the films were released.

Although the paradoxical rivalry of the two films is initially humorous and intriguing, this Communications special topics course aims to go beyond the surface-level and engage in deeper philosophical and moral discussions. Rather than focusing solely on the culture war that ensued when the two films were released on the same day last July, Professor Lupo invites students to engage in close readings of the films themselves. He states, “The purpose and mission of the course is to consider the films within and the discourse surrounding this unique phenomenon. Both films are big, expansive works from directors in the prime of their careers, drawing on the best craftspeople and actors. They are also about life, death, and creation in fascinating ways. And they both center gender: Barbie more consciously of course but Oppenheimer, too, in a more subtle and institutionalized way. While the birth of Barbeheimer as a meme was about the stark contrast of these two distinct films, I think it endured because they are in a way talking to each other. The talk Barbenheimer instigated is also under consideration as we look at how the films fit in the broader debates over gender in our society. Finally, as a phenomenon, Barbenheimer offers us a great snapshot of culture and cinema in 2023. This will be a one-time course, so I appreciate my department’s support in exploring this contemporary phenomenon.”

As we all may recall, the internet was flooded last summer with discussions and memes highlighting the hilarity of a nuclear biopic and a glittery comedy dividing cinematic culture not just by genre, but also by traditional gender roles. Despite the chaotic circumstances, both movies boasted incredibly successful box-office returns, representing a revival of cinemas and movie-going after the Covid-19 pandemic, proving that streaming has not entirely overtaken the film industry.

Despite the initial clash, Professor Lupo emphasizes the need to rediscover the films as artistic achievements. Barbie and Oppenheimer are modern pinnacles of their respective genres, produced and directed by contemporary legends Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan, and Emma Thomas. 

As students navigate the course, they’ll unravel the layers of cultural and filmic contexts surrounding Barbenheimer, gaining a deeper understanding of how these movies transcend the initial online chatter. Professor Lupo’s class represents a unique opportunity in the Saint Anselm course catalog, allowing students to both deeply analyze modern masterpieces on an artistic level and apply their findings to contemporary society at large. This holistic approach to art and media will equip our students with a deeper understanding of the issues which influence the public sector and prepare them to aptly manage and interpret future media hysteria related to these culture-wars.

Isabella Petrosino ‘24 said, “So far, the course has discussed how the peception of gender has shifted (and will continue to shift) in American culture throughout time. It’s helped me to consider how gender norms may have differed in the past. For example, I didn’t know that pink used to be a masculine color because of its adjacency to red This skill of comparing society’s past to its present will help me in future cultural conversations!

In a serendipitous turn of events, both Barbie and Oppenheimer are poised to make a splash at the upcoming Oscars. As the awards season approaches, all eyes are on Barbenheimer, eagerly anticipating how these two films will perform on the grand stage of the Oscars. Though both films are artistic victories, many continue to pit them against one another, comparing Barbie’s 8 Oscar nominations to Oppenheimer’s 13. Also notable is the exclusion of an Academy nomination for either Gerwig’s or Margot Robbie’s exceptional work on Barbie, with Ryan Gosling’s nomination furthering the dialogue on gender and antiquated values in the film industry. The setting for this dialogue is especially tumultuous, as Hollywood is perceived as one of the most progressive and influential entities in the modern world. Ideally, no matter the numerical award turnout, the pervasive takeaway from this Babenheimer chaos remains as a calling to more deeply analyze the media we consume and the influence which it exerts on society.

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain— Professor Lupo’s Unboxing Barbenheimer course is laying a groundwork for thoughtful discussion and opening Saint Anselm’s traditional study of ethics to tumultuous issues, doing its part to bring further awareness and balance to the challenges of this time.