Vietnam Bans 'Barbie' Movie Over Controversial China Sea Map
State media said on Monday, July 3, that Vietnam bans 'Barbie' movie, the highly anticipated movie being shown in the country, because of a scene in which a map shows China's unilaterally claimed area in the South China Sea. Greta Gerwig directed the dream comedy about the famous doll, which starred Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
Author:Camilo WoodReviewer:Dexter CookeJul 04, 202339 Shares38.9K Views
State media said on Monday, July 3, that Vietnam bans 'Barbie' movie, the highly anticipated movie being shown in the country, because of a scene in which a map shows China's unilaterally claimed area in the South China Sea. Greta Gerwig directed the dream comedy about the famous doll, which starred Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The movie was set to open in Vietnam on July 21.
State media said that the government banned the movie because it had scenes with the so-called "nine-dash line." But its performance schedule has been taken down from the websites of the country's biggest movie theater chains.
Vietnam Bans 'Barbie' Movie
Vietnam bans screening of new Barbie movie
According to media reports, Vietnam has banned Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated Barbie movie because of a scene that shows a map with China's disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea. This is the latest movie to get caught up in the region's messy and long-lasting political disputes over territory.
On Chinese maps, the U-shaped "nine-dash line" shows that China claims a lot of the South China Sea, including large parts of what Vietnam calls its continental shelf and where it has given oil rights.
Barbie is one of the most-anticipated summer movies and toys. It is a live-action story about the famous Mattel dolls Barbie and Ken. Gosling, Robbie, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, and Dua Lipa are some of the stars in the group. Social media buzz and memes about the movie, as well as the fact that it comes out on the same day as Oppenheimer, which has a much darker tone, have raised hopes for how well it will do at the box office.
In 2016, an international dispute court in The Hague ruled that China's nine-dash line was wrong and should not be used. China does not agree with the decision. China has long used the so-called "nine-dash line" to show how much of the resource-rich sea it wants. This has often made Hanoi, which also wants parts of the waterway, unhappy.
Vi Kien Thanh, the head of Vietnam's Department of Cinema, told the Dan Tri news site:
“„The film review board watched the film and made the decision to ban the screening of this movie in Vietnam due to a violation regarding the 'nine-dash line.'- Vi Kien Thanh
Tien Phong, another state-run news site, said that the nine-dash line scene happened more than once in the movie.
Many of China's countries, like Vietnam, have their own territorial claims that overlap with China's and strongly disagree with China's claims. But even though the South China Sea arbitration was final and binding, it is not clear how it will be put into effect, and China has said that it does not accept the decision. Vi Kien Thanh was quoted as saying in the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper:
“„We do not grant license for the American movie ‘Barbie’ to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line.- Vi Kien Thanh
In Vietnam, which is a communist country, all movies must be cleared by censors who look for too much violence, suggestive sex scenes, and politically sensitive material. The action-adventure movie "Uncharted," starring Tom Holland, was taken out of theaters last year because it had scenes with the nine-dash line.
And in 2018, Vietnam cut a scene from the love comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" that showed a designer bag with a map of the world that showed the disputed South China Sea islands under Beijing's control.
A year later, Hanoi banned the animation film "Abominable" from theaters for the same reason. Last year, Netflix was told to get rid of episodes of the show "Pine Gap" that had similar scenes.
Conclusion
Vietnam has banned the highly anticipated Warner Bros. movie "Barbie" from being shown in the country because of a scene in which a map shows China's unilaterally claimed area in the South China Sea, state media said Monday. On Chinese maps, the U-shaped "nine-dash line" shows that China claims a lot of the South China Sea, including large parts of what Vietnam calls its continental shelf and where it has given oil rights.
"Barbie" is the latest movie to be blocked in Vietnam because it shows China's controversial nine-dash line. In 2016, an international arbitration court in The Hague ruled that China's nine-dash line was wrong and should not be used. China does not agree with the decision.
Camilo Wood
Author
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Dexter Cooke
Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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