In a surprising turn of events, Vietnam has made the decision to ban the highly anticipated Barbie movie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, from its cinemas. The reason behind the ban is a scene in the film that includes a map showing the disputed nine-dash line in the South China Sea. This line, a point of contention between China and several Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, has been at the center of numerous geopolitical disputes. The ban, which has caused a stir in the entertainment industry, is a stark reminder of how political sensitivities can impact global cinema.
The Barbie Movie and the Controversial Nine-Dash Line
The Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, is a fantasy comedy revolving around the iconic doll. The film was scheduled for release in Vietnamese cinemas on July 21, but its portrayal of a map showing the contentious nine-dash line has led to a nationwide ban. The nine-dash line is a U-shaped demarcation used by China to assert its territorial claims over vast expanses of the South China Sea.
These claims, however, overlap with the maritime boundaries of several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, leading to ongoing disputes. The international community, including a court in The Hague in 2016, has largely repudiated China’s claims, but China continues to ignore these rulings, further fueling tensions.
The Ban and its Implications
The ban on the Barbie movie was announced by the Vietnam Cinema Department and the National Film Evaluation Council. The authorities stated that the film was banned due to the inclusion of the “illegal image of the infamous nine-dash line.”
This decision underscores Vietnam’s firm stance against any media content that appears to endorse China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. It also highlights the challenges global film producers face in navigating geopolitical sensitivities while creating content for international audiences. The ban is a setback for Warner Bros and a stark reminder for the global film industry about the potential fallout of political controversies.
A History of Cinematic Bans in Vietnam
The Barbie movie is not the first to face a ban in Vietnam over the depiction of the nine-dash line. In 2022, Sony’s action movie Uncharted, starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, was also barred from Vietnamese cinemas for the same reason. The film, which was scheduled for release on March 18, had to be pulled out due to the inclusion of a map depicting China’s contested territorial claims in Southeast Asia.
Prior to this, DreamWorks’ animated film Abominable and Australian spy drama Pine Gap were also banned in Vietnam for similar reasons. These bans highlight Vietnam’s consistent stance against any portrayal that seems to validate China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. In 2020, two popular TV series, Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Madam Secretary, faced controversy when they were requested to remove specific scenes featuring a map.
Source: Variety
