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Barbie Banned in the Philippines?
Just a day after Vietnam decided to place an embargo on the screening of the much-buzzed film ‘Barbie’, the Philippines too joined forces and is contemplating banning the film.
The decision is a result of a tendentious scene in the film that allegedly violates the Asian country’s ‘sovereignty’. A sensitive Asian political issue is being manifested in one of the moments from the movie, that triggers an unresolved contentious debate between China and other Asian nations.
The movie, starring Margot Robbie, is seeing much anticipation as people are counting the days before its release. Among this vim and vigor, the decision of Vietnam and now, the Philippines to prohibit the broadcast of the film has sparked up a lot of discussion in the international sphere.
Vietnam Forbids ‘Barbie’ Release
On 3rd July 2024, Vietnam raising its concern over a controversial scene in the film that depicts a map highlighting the ‘nine-dash line’, became the first nation to voice out this dispute and assert its jurisdiction. This line is a series of line segments that represent China’s authority in the South China Sea.
The lines are a sign to portray Chinese territory in the waterbody, which still has not been complied with by other neighboring countries and remains an issue of contention.
A regional daily titled ‘Tuoi Tre’ reports that Vietnam denies granting releasing rights to the American film ‘Barbie’ in the country since the film displays an ‘offending’ representation of the Nine-dash Line which translates into the film bolstering up China’s unsanctioned and distasteful claims over the Sea.
Banning the screening of ‘Barbie’ is a step taken by the South-Asian countries to propound their rights over altercations with China’s annexation and standing up for their sovereignty.
‘Nine-dash Line’ Creating Controversies in Asia
The territory in the South China Sea has been a bone of contention between nations since the 20th century. The exceptional worth of the Sea, and its strategic location which makes it an ideal acquisition has piqued the interests of all neighboring countries. The Sea boasts bountiful fishing grounds, pivotal shipping lanes, and a rich repository of vital minerals.
Despite the United State’s attempt in 2016 to resolve the conflict and challenge China’s illicit claim, no definite action has been taken to settle the decades-long dissension.
To Ban or Not to Ban?
Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s vice Chairman stated that the representation of the ‘invalidated’ nine-dash line in the movie makes it incumbent for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to take solid action against it and disallow the telecast of the film. The nine-dash line ‘denigrates’ the autonomy of the Philippines.
In reply to Senator Francis Tolentino’s profession, The MTRCB assured that they are evaluating the film’s classification and are yet to come to a verdict. No further elucidation was provided by the Board.
Considering the public’s exhilaration over the film’s launch, the authorities in Vietnam as well as the Philippines are also ready for a compromise.
The nations proclaim that if the makers are agreeing to omit the scene or edit the map and remove the nine-dash line from the film, they are willing to give a green light to its release.
Also, Senator Risa Hontiveros says that the Philippine theaters may meditate over the possibility of displaying the film but after appending a distinct disclaimer asserting that the nine-dash line is just ‘a figment of China’s imagination.’
Politics VS Cinema
‘Barbie’ is not the first film to confront controversy over the nine-dash line depiction. Turning the pages of history, movies like ‘Uncharted’ and ‘Abominable’ were barred from screening in the Philippines and Vietnam respectively by the MTRCB.
Moreover, “Put Your Head On My Shoulders” and “Madam Secretary,” series were also demanded to exclude several scenes that contained controversial maps before getting a thumbs up for release in the South-Asian states
The political issue has provoked a global debate over legalizing the Warner Bros’ film to be commercially unveiled or not. As more countries join the debate, the makers of ‘Barbie’ find themselves battling a wrangle!
‘Barbie’ has generated tremendous buzz with its trailer launch and the film, which is already the talk of the town, releases on July 21, 2024.
