A few days ago, it was revealed that authorities in Vietnam have banned commercial display of Barbie in theaters in that country, three weeks after its release, as a result of “A scene showing a map with the ‘nine-dotted line,’ a representation of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates its sovereignty.”
The ban was decided by the National Film Evaluation Council, according to information from Vi Kien Thahn, director general of the Vietnam Film Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The director’s film Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women), the protagonist and producer Margot Robbieand the study Warner Bros. It is set to release worldwide on July 21, 2023.
Warner Bros. pronounces today regarding the ban, detailing the details that caused the decision of the Vietnamese authorities. A studio spokesperson tells Variety:
“The map in Barbie Land is a child’s crayon drawing. The doodles represent Barbie’s fictional journey from Barbie Land to the ‘real world’. [El dibujo] I didn’t intend to make any kind of statement.”
Variety’s report explains that the children’s map drawn with scribbles and chalk, “drew the ire of film watchers in Vietnam this week. The drawing shows what has been called a representation of the “nine-point line”, which reinforces China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea (there are only eight lines on the “Barbie” map, and not in the form dictated by actual global maps).”
The map is seen in one of Barbie’s official trailers. We share the image below:
In the Toronto Sun Valley the following is written:
“I am not sure that this map, which you would miss if you blinked at the one minute mark in the third trailer, is admissible in the International Court of Justice. It’s cartoonishly unrealistic. Where is continental Europe? New Zealand? What do the sailboats represent? Is that a jester’s crown on top of Iceland?
Meanwhile, the marketing campaign for the director’s film Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women), and the protagonist and producer Margot Robbie continues his promotional tour visiting various cities around the world. Soon it will be the turn of Mexico City.
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:
“To live in Barbie land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a total existential crisis. Or be a Ken.”
The film will feature various versions of Barbie and Ken, from the iconic Mattel toy line.
The preview where you can take a look at the image that caused the controversy with Vietnam, you can see it here:
Source: https://cine3.com/warner-bros-se-pronuncia-sobre-la-prohibicion-de-barbie-en-vietnam/
