Vietnam says no to Barbie movie: Controversial map scene to blame!

The Vietnamese government has imposed a ban on the eagerly-awaited Warner Bros‘ movie, “Barbie,” over a controversial scene featuring a map. The map depicts China‘s unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea, including the contentious nine-dash line that was disavowed by a court in The Hague in 2016. China, however, continues to disregard the ruling.

This is not the first time a movie has been banned in Vietnam due to such sensitive content. Back in 2019, DreamWorks’ animated film “Abominable” faced a similar fate, followed by the action movie “Unchartered” last year. The Department of Cinema, the Vietnamese government body responsible for foreign film licensing and censorship, confirmed the ban. According to local media, the head of the Department of Cinema declared that the movie Barbie won’t be licensed for release due to the offensive nine-dash line image.

Vietnamese government bans Barbie movie due to South China Sea territory dispute. Photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay.

China employs the nine-dash line on maps to assert its extensive claims over the South China Sea. This includes significant sections considered by Vietnam as part of its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions. Countries in Southeast Asia such as China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan have been embroiled in disputes over this contentious region for centuries. Vietnam has been vocal in accusing Chinese vessels of infringing its sovereignty around the disputed Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands.

Featuring stars like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the movie “Barbie” was originally scheduled to hit the screens in Vietnam on July 21. The ban has undoubtedly led to disappointment for fans eagerly awaiting the release.