The upcoming live-action Barbie movie has been banned in Vietnam and the Philippines due to a map that appears in the film. The map, which is seen in a scene with Margot Robbie and Kate McKinnon, appears to depict the “nine-dash line,” a demarcation used by China to claim much of the South China Sea. Vietnam and the Philippines both dispute China’s claims to the South China Sea, and the map’s appearance in the Barbie movie has been seen as a provocation.
Warner Bros., the studio that produced the Barbie movie, has said that the map was not intended to be a political statement, and that it was simply a “child-like crayon drawing.” However, the Vietnamese and Philippine governments have not been convinced, and they have both banned the film from being shown in their countries.
The Barbie movie ban is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the film. In the past, the film has been criticized for its portrayal of body image, and for its lack of diversity. However, the map controversy is the most serious, and it could have a significant impact on the film’s box office performance.
It is unclear whether the Barbie movie will be banned in other countries. However, the map controversy is likely to raise awareness of the South China Sea issue, and it could lead to further restrictions on the film’s release.
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