‘Barbie’ movie banned in Vietnam over scene including disputed map

Warner Bros.’ really-anticipated “Barbie” motion picture has been banned in Vietnam.

The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, was established to hit theaters in the nation on July 21, aligning with the cinematic release in most international locations all-around the earth.

However, condition media announced the movie will not be introduced because of to a scene that involves a map utilizing the “nine-sprint line” — a established of line segments that stand for China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea — which Vietnam claims violates its sovereignty.

“We do not grant license for the American film ‘Barbie’ to release in Vietnam due to the fact it includes the offending graphic of the nine-dash line,” condition-operate Tuoi Tre newspaper mentioned, citing Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Cinema (through Reuters).

Vi Kien Thanh reported the decision was determined by the Nationwide Movie Analysis Council.

The U-formed line, which was 1st found on maps in 1947, features elements that Vietnam sees as its continental shelf, in which it has awarded oil concessions.

The line is extremely controversial as quite a few of China’s neighbors — like Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam — have competing and overlapping territorial statements, and the Chinese territory is contested.

“Barbie” is not the 1st release to bring about challenges in Vietnam about the “nine-dash line” dispute.

In 2019, DreamWorks’ “Abominable” was banned for the similar purpose, though Sony’s “Unchartered” was blocked past 12 months. Tv set sequence “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and “Madam Secretary” had been told to delete selected scenes made up of the map in 2020, and Netflix had to get rid of the Australian spy drama “Pine Gap” in Vietnam in 2021.

“Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, will be unveiled in theaters on July 21.