Vietnam has recently prohibited the domestic distribution of Warner Bros’ highly-anticipated film “Barbie” due to a scene featuring a map displaying China’s unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea, according to state media reports on Monday. The inclusion of China’s “nine-dash line” in the movie, which asserts territorial rights over significant portions of the South China Sea, including areas Vietnam considers part of its continental shelf, prompted the ban.
“Barbie” joins the list of films banned in Vietnam for showcasing China’s disputed nine-dash line, which was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016. China, however, refuses to acknowledge the ruling. In previous instances, the Vietnamese government pulled DreamWorks’ animated film “Abominable” in 2019 and banned Sony’s action movie “Uncharted” last year, citing similar reasons. Additionally, Netflix removed the Australian spy drama “Pine Gap” in 2021.
Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, “Barbie” was initially scheduled for release in Vietnam on July 21, coinciding with the United States premiere, as reported by the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper. Vi Kien Thanh, the head of the Department of Cinema, which oversees licensing and censorship of foreign films, stated that Vietnam did not grant a license for the movie’s release due to the inclusion of the controversial nine-dash line.
Warner Bros has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. Vietnam and China have long-standing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly over potentially resource-rich areas. Vietnam has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating its sovereignty in the region.
