The number of high-profile interviewees alone makes this documentary a feat in production and editing, but its difficult subject matter makes it a necessary film as well.
Black Barbie pulls together commentary from a wide range of sources, potentially broadening the film's interest out across a spectrum of professional fields. The fact that the commentaries become so personal, and in many cases quite emotional, raises the documentary up a level.
Its use of a timeline and "chapters" gives it a didactic feel, and surely this film could be employed for educational purposes. For those same reasons, the content can feel a little overwhelming. Even if spectators only consume individual sections of the documentary at a time, which might be recommendable, they will walk away with a lot to think about.
Read the full review at Common Sense Media.
Images courtesy of Netflix.
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