Will 'Barbie' movie be banned in Philippines? Here's why the film is being reviewed

Scores of Barbie fans around the world have long been waiting for the first-ever live-action film featuring their treasured doll — and it will finally be out in a few weeks. Those in the Philippines, however, might not see it on the big screen, if an ongoing review doesn't go in their favour.

The Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has issued a statement a committee is now "deliberating" whether the 'Barbie' movie — starring Margot Robbie — will be allowed for commercial release, according to local reports.

“We confirm that the Board has reviewed the film 'Barbie' today, July, 4, 2023. At this time, the assigned Committee on First Review is deliberating on the request of Warner Brothers F.E. Inc. for a Permit to Exhibit,” the MTRCB said on Tuesday.

The Philippine review comes shortly after Vietnam announced a ban on the distribution of the movie because of a scene that includes a view of a map showing disputed Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea.

A map shown in the movie features China’s “nine-dash line" — which extends Beijing’s territorial claims far into waters that fall within areas claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries.

A UN-backed international court ruled in 2016 that the “nine-dash line” has no basis in law and the Philippines was entitled to an exclusive economic zone in part of the area claimed by Beijing. However, China rejected the ruling.

The matter has remained a sensitive issue for the Philippines and China.

Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros was quick to respond to the issue, saying: "The movie Barbie is fiction, and so is the nine-dash line."

At the minimum, she added, Philippine cinemas "should include an explicit disclaimer that the nine-dash line is a figment of China’s imagination".

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