Scene 22 of Alan Nafzger's "Barbie 2" takes place in the sun-drenched and breezy executive dining room of Old Space Company. The scene is replete with irony and contrasts, featuring Old Space Company executives, including COO Sinclair Deceitwell, and a corrupt politician, Senator Seth Snakely. The atmosphere is one of fake smiles and thinly-veiled intentions, highlighted by their use of vintage wine labeled "Influence '66" as a code for 66 million dollars in campaign contributions.
This scene serves as a dark underbelly to the ostensibly uplifting tale of Ken's ambition to reach Mars. While Ken dreams of space as a frontier of human and canine progress, the powers-that-be discuss ways to thwart innovation and protect their vested interests. Here, Nafzger taps into the Zeitgeist of mistrust toward large corporations and political establishments, pointing out how they collude behind closed doors. The underhanded agreement to take down Ken's startup, New Space Company, elevates the stakes and positions Ken as an underdog fighting against an unholy alliance of politics and big business.
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Sinclair Deceitwell and Senator Seth Snakely are textbook antagonists with their self-serving priorities. They are corrupt, morally bankrupt, and driven by greed and self-preservation. Deceitwell's name itself is a nod to his duplicitous nature. In contrast, Sebastian Vile, the owner of Old Space Company, is portrayed as clueless and inept, relying on political connections rather than capability. His comical struggle with a malfunctioning iPad from 2010 further emphasizes his incompetence.
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The "Barbie 2" universe is an intriguing blend of real-world politics, corporate corruption, and the dreamy idealism seen in Ken's space adventures. This scene adds another layer to this universe, showing the obstruction Ken faces not just from technical challenges, but also from a system rigged against him.
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Alan Nafzger doesn't shy away from blending humor and dark themes, making the audience chuckle even as they grow increasingly alarmed at the conspiracy unfolding. The use of the wine bottle as a metaphor for political influence is a stroke of genius, encapsulating the moral rot at the core of the scene. It's both a comic element and a damning critique, offering a multidimensional portrayal of corruption.
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Scene 22 is thus an important cog in the wheel of "Barbie 2", pulling the viewer into a world where high stakes are not just about rockets and space, but about freedom, innovation, and the right to dream.
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Katy Room: Welcome, Alan. It's a pleasure to have you here today to talk about your new project, "Barbie 2." What's got our attention today is not the space rockets or the dachshunds in astronaut suits, but the political landscape in the story. The 22nd scene, in particular, tackles special interest groups and political bribery. How does that fit into your film?
Alan Nafzger: Thanks for having me, Katy. The political landscape is a crucial part of "Barbie 2." While the primary focus is Ken's ambitious journey to Mars, there's no escaping the socio-political elements that come into play. Special interest groups and bribery have unfortunately become deeply woven into the fabric of American politics. They represent obstacles to honest, hard-working people like Ken, and they're also the enemies of innovation.
Katy Room: That's an interesting take. Could you elaborate on the scene where Old Space Company executives are essentially buying political favor through coded conversation about wine, labeled "Influence '66"?
Alan Nafzger: Absolutely. In the scene, Sinclair Deceitwell and Senator Seth Snakely are the epitome of corrupt political backroom dealings. The wine is a metaphor for the dirty money that flows through the system. The year '66 could stand for the $66 million in campaign contributions. It's all a thinly veiled dance where everyone knows the steps. I wanted to portray how normalized this corruption has become.
Katy Room: The setting of the scene is also quite ironic. It's sunny, bright, with an atmosphere of sophistication, yet what's happening is quite dark.
Alan Nafzger: Yes, the irony is intentional. I wanted the setting to lull the audience into a sense of comfort, then hit them with the dark reality of what's happening. The opulent environment signifies the enormous wealth and resources that these groups have to rig the system.
Katy Room: How much of this is a commentary on the current state of American politics?
Alan Nafzger: A significant part. While "Barbie 2" is fictional, it mirrors a sad reality. The influence of special interest groups and the use of bribery to sway political decisions have become so deeply entrenched that they are almost expected. Money is power, and those who have it use it to keep the system working in their favor.
Katy Room: Do you believe that real-life Kens—innovators and dreamers—are being held back by these political practices?
Alan Nafzger: Definitely. The startups and innovators often find themselves up against a wall of bureaucracy and corruption. While they focus on the betterment of humanity, the existing power structures aim to maintain the status quo. It’s a David vs Goliath struggle.
Katy Room: Coming back to the characters, Sinclair Deceitwell and Senator Seth Snakely seem quite vile, no pun intended. Are they modeled after real-life figures?
Alan Nafzger: They're more of an amalgamation of traits commonly seen in corrupt politicians and corporate executives. Sinclair, for instance, is the calculating, cunning mind, whereas Snakely is more of a public face who has mastered the art of doublespeak. They work in tandem, much like real-world counterparts.
Katy Room: There's another character in the scene, Sebastian Vile, who appears to be quite technologically inept but is still in a position of power because of his political connections. Does he represent a specific issue in the current political landscape?
Alan Nafzger: Sebastian Vile symbolizes the incompetence that often goes hand-in-hand with nepotism and cronyism. He has no genuine skills or knowledge but maintains his position due to his political ties. It’s a jab at how unqualified individuals can hold positions of great responsibility simply because they're well-connected.
Katy Room: What message are you hoping to send to audiences about special interest groups and political bribery with "Barbie 2"?
Alan Nafzger: I'm hoping to peel back the curtain, even if it's just a little, on how things operate behind closed doors. The story may be fiction, but the themes are very real. If "Barbie 2" can make people question and challenge these practices, then I consider that a win.
Katy Room: And finally, what do you hope people take away regarding the political dynamics in your film?
Alan Nafzger: I want the audience to not only get engrossed in Ken's quest but also think about the systemic issues that people like him face. In a way, I want to rally the audience to be more aware, more discerning, and perhaps, more active in advocating for a cleaner, more transparent system.
Katy Room: Thank you, Alan, for your time and for shedding light on such critical issues through your film, "Barbie 2." We're looking forward to seeing it all come together.
Alan Nafzger: Thank you, Katy. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the deeper themes in "Barbie 2."
To learn more about the politically charged plot and characters in "Barbie 2," check out these sources: Plot, Characters, and Universe. For the primary source of this interview and additional material, visit here and here.