Troubles in Barbie Land continue as a senator on Tuesday called on the MTRCB to ban the film for showing China’s massive nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.
“If the invalidated 9-dash line was indeed depicted in the movie Barbie, then it is incumbent upon the MTRCB to ban the same as it denigrates Philippine sovereignty,” Senator Francis Tolentino said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said China’s nine-dash line was as fictional as the movie in question.
“At the minimum, she said our cinemas should include an explicit disclaimer that the nine-dash line is a figment of China’s imagination,” she said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said there have been precedents in the past where movies such as “Uncharted” and “Abominable” have been pulled out from local cinemas because of the presence of China’s nine-dash line claim.
“This is not a first as there had been similar cases in the past…It may be a work of fiction but still, this is a very sensitive issue. It is contrary to our national interest and China has no historic rights in the waters within the nine-dash line,” he said.
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Lala Sotto said Monday the movie “Barbie” will be reviewed for rating and classification.
“Barbie” is set to open in Philippine cinemas on July 19.
Vietnam has banned the upcoming “Barbie” movie from cinemas over scenes with a map showing China’s nine-dash line claim.
The fantasy comedy film about the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, had been set for nationwide release in Vietnam on July 21.
“The film review board watched the film and made the decision to ban the screening of this movie in Vietnam due to a violation regarding the ‘nine-dash line,’” Vietnam’s Department of Cinema director, Vi Kien Thanh, told the Dan Tri news site.
As this developed, Sen. Hontiveros said it is crucial for the Philippine government to raise the West Philippine Sea issue before the UN General Assembly.
“I hope that the Senate can tackle my resolution regarding this as soon as session resumes, as we need the support of the wider international community to stop China’s unbridled aggression,” Hontiveros said.
She earlier filed Senate Resolution 659 urging the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, “to sponsor a resolution before the UNGA calling on China to stop its harassment of Philippine vessels within the WPS.