Just two weeks are left for the release of the much awaited film ‘Barbie’ and it’s already facing a huge controversy. Today, the Vietnam government has banned the film from being released in their country.
According to Variety, there is a scene that depicts a map with the nine dash line, a representation of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates their sovereignty. Vi Kien Thanh, the director general of the Vietnam Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said today that the ban was decided by the National Film Evaluation Council, “We do not grant licence for the American movie ‘Barbie’ to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line.” Warner Bros. has not responded to this decision yet.
For a very long time, China has claimed almost all territories in the South China Sea and has drawn this on maps using the U-shaped nine-dash line, a controversial and unilateral interpretation rejected by numerous countries with overlapping claims, including Vietnam.
‘Barbie’ is a story about the worldwide famous doll Barbie, who along with her boyfriend Ken, are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa and Will Farrell, ‘Barbie’ is going to release on July 21, 2023.
