The film ‘Barbie‘ has been banned in Vietnam because it includes a scene showing a map with the “nine-dash line,” representing China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam claims this violates its sovereignty. The movie was supposed to be released in the country on July 21, 2023.
For the same reason, Vietnam banned DreamWorks’ Abominable‘ in 2019 and Sony’s ‘Uncharted‘ in 2022. The cinema exhibitor CGV was fined for showing ‘Abominable,’ and the Vietnam Cinema Department disciplined their staff for not noticing the inappropriate images right away. After being shown for just over a week, the movie was removed from theaters.
The director general of the Vietnam Cinema Department, Vi Kien Thanh, announced that the ban on the film ‘Barbie’ in Vietnam was decided by the National Film Evaluation Council. The state-run newspaper, Tuoi Tre, quoted Vi Kien Thanh as saying, “We do not grant a license for the American movie ‘Barbie’ to be released in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line.”
‘Barbie’ is directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she wrote with Noah Baumbach. The film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, respectively, alongside an ensemble supporting cast that includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell.
In the film, Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go into the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. The film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, respectively, alongside an ensemble supporting cast that includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell.
‘Barbie’ will release globally in theaters on July 21, 2023, but not in Vietnam.
Source: Variety
