Days after Warner Bros.’s upcoming Vietnam ban Barbie Given a scene depicting a map of the South China Sea with a “nine-point line” that its government objects to, the Philippines is now considering whether to follow suit.
The Film and Television Review and Rating Board of the Philippines on Tuesday posted a notice on its website saying, “We confirm that the film has been reviewed by the Board. Barbie Today, July 04, 2023. At this time, the committee appointed for First Review is deliberating on Warner Brothers FE Inc.’s application. to obtain a permit for the show.” She did not explain the reason for the statement.
The controversial “line of nine lines” represents China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims. The U-shaped line was rejected in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016, however, China refuses to recognize the ruling.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, local Sen. Francis Tolentino He said,” if the line with nine dashes nullified was actually depicted on film Barbiethen it is the duty of the MTRCB to prohibit the same because it detracts from Philippine sovereignty.”
The senator reportedly said that editing the disputed portion could be a “compromise” for the MTRCB and the film producers. Warner Bros. deadline has been reached for comment.
in video statement Philippine Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday, “The movie is fiction, and so is the Nine-Police Line.” She did not call for a ban, but added, “At the very least, our cinemas should include an explicit disclaimer that the nine-point line is a figment of China’s imagination.”
Senator Jingwe Estrada, also speaking to CNN, said he hopes the MTRCB will make a decision soon on the matter. “It may be a work of fiction but still this is a very sensitive subject. It goes against our national interest and China has no historical rights to the waters within the Nine Waters Line… We have long fought for this, and it is only appropriate for us to remain firm on issues related to Sovereignty of our country,” Estrada said.
In 2022, Sony is banned by the MTRCB unknown on a similar issue. Directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie The overseas rollout begins July 19.
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