Barbie‘s 64-year career as a doll takes an unexpected turn with her summer movie debut, where cartography plays a surprising role. The movie “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, features a controversial map that has sparked international headlines.
The map, depicted as a child-like crayon drawing in Barbie Land, shows Barbie’s imaginary journey from her world to the “real world.” It was not meant to convey any political statement, according to a spokesperson from Warner Bros. Film Group.
However, the map drew criticism in Vietnam, where it was seen as resembling the “nine dash line,” reinforcing China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam disputed these claims, considering it a violation of their sovereignty, and consequently, the movie was pulled from release in the territory.
In the film, Barbie faces an existential crisis within her dream world, and her counterpart, Weird Barbie, encourages her to explore the “Real World” with a whimsical map drawn by another doll. Some have interpreted the lines on the map as “journey lines” rather than territorial boundaries.
The movie also features stars like Margot Robbie, Kate McKinnon, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Hari Nef, Issa Rae, and Simu Liu. Despite the controversy, the movie’s release has generated significant buzz and marketing attention.
While some critics questioned the accuracy of the map, others dismissed it as cartoonishly unrealistic. Despite the geopolitical concerns raised, the filmmakers maintain that the map represents Barbie’s path to enlightenment within the movie.
Barbie Banned In Pakistan For LGBTQIA+ Content
Big buzzkill for Barbie’s Hollywood debut! The highly-awaited movie has hit a snag as it faces delays in Pakistan’s Punjab province due to “objectionable content.” The film is now under review and needs clearance from provincial boards to ensure it aligns with the country’s social, cultural, and religious values.
But wait, it’s not just Pakistan! The movie’s release has been postponed in several Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. Even Vietnam banned it earlier this month because of a scene featuring a map that ticked off China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The ban in Punjab province has sparked backlash on social media, with people questioning the need for such restrictions. This isn’t the first time Pakistan has banned films challenging cultural norms. Joyland, a Cannes prize-winning film and Pakistan’s Oscar entry for 2023, was also banned previously for violating the “norms of decency and morality.”
Critics argue that such bans restrict the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution and cater to rigid religious fanatics. Legal experts suggest that the Punjab censor board’s decisions are arbitrary, dampening the spirit of artistic expression in the country.
Looks like Barbie’s dreamy adventure is facing some real-life drama. Let’s see how this unfolds!
