The upcoming release of the live-action Barbie movie has been met with controversy in the Philippines. The Senators want ‘Barbie banned’ over 9-dash-line film, as the film reportedly features a map of the South China Sea that includes the so-called “nine-dash line.”. This line is a controversial claim made by China to the entire South China Sea, which is disputed by several countries, including Vietnam [The Philippines Threatens to Join Vietnam].
In response to the map, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) of the Philippines is considering banning the Barbie movie from being shown in the country. The MTRCB has said that the film’s depiction of the nine-dash line could be seen as a “dilution of Philippine sovereignty.”
“This will not just be an injurious to the Republic of the Philippines but would be contrary to what our country fought for and achieved under that Arbitral Ruling in 2016,” Tolentino said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204936
The ‘Barbie banned issues’ is the latest in a series of incidents involving the nine-dash line. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled that China’s claim to the South China Sea was invalid. However, China has refused to recognize the ruling, and has continued to assert its claims to the region.
This is a reminder of the political sensitivities surrounding the nine-dash line. The map is a symbol of China’s territorial ambitions, and its depiction in the Barbie movie has sparked anger in the Philippines and other countries that have competing claims to the South China Sea.
It is unclear whether the Barbie movie will be banned in the Philippines. The MTRCB is still considering the issue, and it is possible that the film will be allowed to be shown after some editing. However, the Barbie ban is a reminder of the importance of the nine-dash line in the South China Sea dispute, and it is likely to continue to be a source of controversy in the years to come.
Takeaways
The Barbie banned in the Philippines is a reminder of the political sensitivities surrounding the nine-dash line.
The nine-dash line is a symbol of China’s territorial ambitions, and its depiction in the Barbie movie has sparked anger in the Philippines and other countries that have competing claims to the South China Sea.
It is unclear whether the Barbie movie will be banned in the Philippines, but the controversy is likely to continue in the years to come.
Personal Thoughts
The Barbie ban is a reminder of the power of soft power. Even a seemingly innocuous children’s film can become a political flashpoint when it comes to sensitive issues like territorial disputes.
The Barbie ban also raises questions about the role of corporations in geopolitics. Warner Bros., the studio that produced the Barbie movie, is a multinational corporation with operations in many countries, including China. The company may have felt pressure to include the nine-dash line in the film in order to avoid offending Chinese authorities.
The Barbie ban is a complex issue with no easy answers. It is a reminder of the importance of understanding the political context of the products we consume, and of the power of soft power to shape public opinion.
