It’s still a Barbie world after all.
In a letter to Senator Francis Tolentiono, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) confirmed that ‘Barbie’ will be allowed to be screened in Philippine cinemas. The possibility of a ban hounded the Greta Gerwig film over it’s supposed depiction of China’s controversial nine-dash line.
The decision came after “two meticulous screenings”, which involved the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Solicitor General, and a legal expert on West PH Sea affairs. The MTRCB says it “has no basis to ban the film” in the absence of a “clear nor outright depiction of the nine-dash line”.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague rejected the line that China has used to lay claim on most of maritime territory surrounding the Philippines, Vietnam, and other neighboring countries. China does not recognize the decision and continues its efforts to occupy the region.
The alleged nine-dash line in a scene from ‘Barbie’
Sen. Tolentino, who sought for the ‘Barbie’ ban, was disappointed, saying that MTRCB’s decision came a day before the 7th anniversary of The Hague ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claim. SEA neighbor Vietnam previously announced an outright ban on the film.
The Philippines is no stranger to prohibiting films that offend national sensibilities, the latest being 2022’s Uncharted, which was pulled from cinemas over a two-second frame that showed a treasure map with the nine-dash line.
Warner Bros. has commented on the ‘Barbie’ controversy, describing the map as a make-believe doodle that is not intended to make any statement.
