Hot Docs Review: ‘Black Barbie: A Documentary’ shows it’s not all fun and games

Using their imaginations during play is a natural means by which children foster creativity, practice problem-solving, and develop social, emotional and language skills. For this reason, there are a variety of toys available, appealing to different children in different ways. But what message does it send to kids when they don’t see toys that reflect themselves or their lived experiences? For decades, the only dolls found on any toy shelf were Caucasian. However, that didn’t stop people from making their own dolls that better represented their appearance and skin tones. Black Barbie: A Documentary explores how one of the most recognizable toy brands finally made a mainstream, dark-skinned doll.

The story is a bit of a personal journey for director Lagueria Davis, who suddenly finds herself surrounded by her aunt’s decades-spanning doll collection. Exploring the hobby, Davis uncovers her family’s personal connection to Mattel, learning her aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, worked there for 45 years and may have had a hand in the production of the company’s first Black figure. Having never understood the appeal of dolls, Davis goes further down the rabbit hole to explore the history of non-White dolls, the meaning they held for children and collectors when they were finally released, and whether those efforts to integrate and progress Black representation have been sustained over time.

Most people are aware of Black Barbie and Malibu Barbie’s friends of colour. However, they may not know of the rich history of non-White dolls that included an independent toy company, which solely produced dolls that accurately and successfully reflected a diverse consumer-base and proved its profitability. The narrative is presented in three chapters, beginning with the world pre-Black Barbie and sentiments from Black adults whose only childhood choice was White and blonde. Then it follows the progress at Mattel, spearheaded by Louvenia (Kitty) Black Perkins and later Stacey Mcbride-Irby, who worked to ensure the new generation of Barbie felt authentic and relatable. The last segment engages experts and children in discussions about the impact of diverse toys, and questions whether Mattel is doing enough to keep the conversation moving forward.

This documentary approaches a seemingly benign subject from a number of angles, putting human faces to a popular children’s toy. The film is very much rooted in race relations, particularly how they played out at Mattel and in its expanding product line, then and now. However, the most eye-opening section of the film comes when several groups of ethnically-diverse kids participate in a focus group about Barbie and her friends. The feelings they reveal surrounding body image, race and seeing themselves reflected (or not) in the dolls is possibly the most important part of the movie.

Black Barbie: A Documentary had its international premiere in the Special Presentations programme at the Hot Docs Festival.

Read other reviews from the festival.

Director: Lagueria Davis