MANILA: In a display of joy and relief, hundreds of Filipino Barbie fans dressed in pink flocked to the opening of a fantasy-comedy film featuring the famous doll, which had faced potential banning due to a contentious map. The movie came under scrutiny from censors over allegations that a colorful world map depicted China’s claims to the South China Sea.
The film drew intense attention, with concerns raised that it could be banned in the Philippines as it had been in Vietnam. However, the Philippines’ Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) recently clarified that the child-like lines on the map did not represent China’s disputed nine-dash line. This decision was met with relief by Barbie enthusiasts, who eagerly attended screenings across Manila.
Barbie Fans in Philippine
Nicole Tolentino, a 23-year-old Barbie fan for two decades, expressed her hopes that the film would not be banned or have the controversial scene removed. “But they didn’t really do anything with it,” she added. Outside the theaters, excited fans gathered in an ambiance of fuchsia-tinted lighting, some taking photos in a Barbie-themed booth, and others bringing their own Barbie dolls to share the experience.
Martina Santiago, another Barbie enthusiast, shared her initial disappointment at the possibility of the film being banned. She had already prepared an outfit for the occasion, and was glad the film was allowed to proceed. The MTRCB had requested that Warner Bros blur the disputed lines on the map to prevent misinterpretations. However, correspondents from AFP who watched the film reported that the lines were clearly visible.
While most fans celebrated the film’s release, not all were pleased with the inclusion of the map. Margaux Pichay, 19, expressed her desire for that particular scene to be cut. Nonetheless, she found the film overall “very empowering.”
When approached for comment regarding the failure to blur the lines, the MTRCB referred AFP to their previous statement where they clarified that the map portrayed a fictional journey and was an integral part of the story.
The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken, and has garnered significant attention not only for its entertainment value but also due to the controversy surrounding the map.
