Philippines allows Barbie film but with blurred South China Sea map
A controversial scene in the Barbie film has come under fire by several countries who have threatened to ban the movie from being shown. See what it is.
Movies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Movies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Philippines will allow the Barbie movie to be shown but has requested a controversial map in the film to be blurred.
Vietnam banned the fantasy film for allegedly showing the nine-dash line on a map, which is significant as it’s used by China to assert its internationally rejected claims in the South China Sea.
However, Philippine censors said in a statement that after “meticulous” scrutiny of the film, they were convinced that the map was just “cartoonish”, and would allow it with the map blurred.
The movie was reviewed twice by the Philippines Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and they consulted both foreign affairs officials and legal experts.
“Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the ‘real world’, as an integral part of the story,” the censorship board wrote.
“Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/producers/distributors for exhibiting the fictitious ‘nine-dash line’ in their materials.”
China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all have different claims about the South China Sea.
In recent years, Beijing has built military bases on artificial islands in the area, and often conducts naval patrols there in a bid to assert its territorial claims.
However, in 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled against Chinese claims in the South China Sea, although Beijing didn’t recognise the Judgement.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling dazzled on the pink carpet in London for the UK premiere of the live-action movie.
The Aussie actress wore a baby pink dress Vivienne Westwood gown with a white faux fur, while Gosling looked every inch the Ken in a pastel green suit and open-necked white shirt.
They were joined by the film’s stars including Dua Lipa, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Issa Rae and Hari Nef who help make up the ten Barbie’s and four Ken’s in the production.
Robbie, 33, has been going all out recreating some of the Mattel doll’s finest ensembles throughout her worldwide press tour.
Her stylist Andrew Mukamal commissioned multiple designer outfits inspired by the famous doll’s iconic looks over the years.
The film opens in Australian cinemas on July 20.
Originally published as Philippines allows Barbie film but with blurred South China Sea map
Grant reveals scrapped Bridget Jones plot
Hugh Grant has lifted the lid on the very unexpected way he was originally supposed to star in the third film in the beloved franchise.
Hollywood star blasts ‘sex symbol’ status
Jennifer Love Hewitt has slammed Hollywood for sexualising her at a young age, revealing all people talked about after she shot to fame was her breasts.