‘Barbie’ Vietnam

Even though fans might have been waiting for the screening of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, authorities in Vietnam have decided to ban the official screenings of the movie. The movie was supposed to premiere on July 21 in the country.

According to Variety, the director general of the Vietnam Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Vi Kien Thanh, announced this Monday that the decision has been made by the National Film Evaluation Council.

But what is the reason for the ban?

Nine Dash Line

According to the same source, the ban was due to a movie scene in which a map showed the “nine-dash line”, which is “a representation of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.” The outlet noted that Vietnam considers it a violation of its sovereignty.

“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,” a state-run newspaper, Tuoi Tre, wrote. Additionally, it cited Vi Kien Thanh.

However, Barbie is not the first movie to start controversies over the “nine-dash line” dispute. DreamWorks’ Abominable and Sony’s Unchartered were banned as they both depicted the same map, this source notes. Moreover, two TV series, Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Madam Secretary, had to delete certain scenes that featured the map.

Is Barbie 2023 out?

Gerwig’s Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will be released in theaters worldwide on the 21st of July.

Published by HOLR Magazine.