Blonde, pink, and…..divisive? Barbie is now the center of a global dispute, landing her upcoming film on Vietnam’s banned list.
Why was the film banned? Over an incredibly minuscule detail called the “nine-dash line.”
Here’s the run down: China, Vietnam, and other countries are all laying claims to a territory near the South China Sea.
As VOA News reports, “The U-shaped “nine-dash line” is used on Chinese maps to illustrate its claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions.”
“Barbie” allegedly shows a map, depicting the nine-dash line as part of China’s territory, therefore offending Vietnam and causing them to 86 the film.
‘BARBIE’ has been banned in Vietnam.
The film contains 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 its sovereignty.
(https://t.co/tHThgUbcXz) pic.twitter.com/Mn3kUAvKdn
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 3, 2023
“Barbie” is the latest movie to be banned in Vietnam for depicting China’s controversial nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016. China refuses to recognize the ruling.
In 2019, the Vietnamese government pulled DreamWorks’ animated film “Abominable”and last year it banned Sony’s action movie “Unchartered” for the same reason. Netflix also removed an Australian spy drama “Pine Gap” in 2021.
Warner Brothers' highly anticipated ‘Barbie’ movie has been banned in Vietnam over a scene featuring a map that shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea https://t.co/yqLYLGeVfR pic.twitter.com/oXHVmQxHYy
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 3, 2023
A rep for the Vietnam Cinema Department stated, “We do not grant a license for the American movie Barbie to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line.”
Who knew that even Barbie could land herself in the hot waters of a diplomatic dispute?? Welcome to 2023!
The “Barbie” movie, starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie is set to debut on July 21…..except in Vietnam, of course.
Giant blowout party ✅
Planned choreography ✅
New #BarbieTheMovie Trailer ✅
Only in Theaters July 21. pic.twitter.com/nDT4RYiD4B— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) May 25, 2023
Dont bother just watch the plastic people in Real Lives and or the Kardashians