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Warner Bros Faces Backlash Over Controversial Barbie Movie Tweets
Warner Bros, the studio behind the upcoming Barbie movie, has issued an apology after its official Barbie Movie Twitter account responded to controversial “Barbenheimer” memes depicting atomic bomb imagery. The images, which featured Margot Robbie with a mushroom cloud hairstyle, sparked outrage as they were posted close to the 78th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima. The studio’s insensitive engagement on social media has led to the trending hashtag.
Offensive Barbie Movie Tweets Cause Outrage in Japan
Japanese social media users were deeply offended by the Barbie Movie Twitter account’s responses to “Barbenheimer” memes, which included imagery related to the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One meme depicted Cillian Murphy, who played Robert Oppenheimer, carrying Margot Robbie through a burning city. The studio’s response, “It’s going to be a summer to be remembered,” further intensified the backlash.
Warner Bros Japan Expresses Regret Over Barbie Movie Twitter Controversy
In response to the growing controversy, Warner Bros Japan’s own Barbie Movie account posted a statement expressing deep regret for the actions of the official American headquarters’ account. The Japanese audience felt particularly hurt, as the Barbie movie is scheduled to be released in Japan on 11 August, just five days after the somber anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.
Warner Bros US Headquarters Issues Sincere Apology
A day after the initial incident, Warner Bros’ US headquarters publicly apologized for its insensitive social media engagement. The studio acknowledged the gravity of the situation and extended a sincere apology to all those who were affected by the offensive tweets. The incident has raised questions about the need for greater sensitivity in online communications.
Twitter (now X) Adds Community Notes to Highlight Historical Context
In response to the Barbie Movie Twitter controversy, Twitter (now rebranded as X) has taken a proactive step by adding community notes to original posts that involve sensitive historical events, such as the atomic bomb attacks on Japan. By providing historical context alongside such content, X aims to promote awareness and understanding of the profound impact these events had on communities and individuals
Hiroshima Remembers: Spreading Knowledge for Nuclear Disarmament
The city of Hiroshima continues its efforts to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack while advocating for nuclear disarmament. The moving testimonies of survivors and their hopes for a peaceful world serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare. As the distributor of Oppenheimer, a film about Robert Oppenheimer, has not yet announced its release date in Japan, the controversy surrounding the Barbie Movie’s insensitive tweets highlights the importance of being respectful and considerate when discussing sensitive historical topics.
