As anticipation builds among Western fans for Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming Barbie movie, considered the most roseate cinematic presentation ever made, the excitement seems to be dimmed in the Far East. According to Deadline, a controversy over a geopolitical dispute has led to the ban of Barbie in all Vietnamese cinemas. The crux of the issue revolves around the portrayal of a map delineating China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, using the contentious “nine-dash” line, a depiction Vietnam’s government vehemently disputes.
Greta Gerwig, the creative force behind the much-awaited fantasy comedy, has an illustrious career peppered with Oscar-nominated works. Her repertoire includes the critically acclaimed coming-of-age comedy, ‘Lady Bird’ (2017), and the period drama, ‘Little Women’ (2019). Boasting a star-studded ensemble including Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, among others, Gerwig’s films are no strangers to the limelight.
‘Barbie’: A Dream Project from Gerwig’s Stables
The Barbie project marks the culmination of a long-held dream of Gerwig and lead star Margot Robbie. The film showcases some of the finest achievements in production design and set-making. Co-written with Noah Baumbach, the movie brings together an awe-inspiring cast featuring Robbie as the titular character, Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, with Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, and Will Ferrell playing vital roles.
‘Barbie’ Stumbles into a Geo-Political Crossfire
The National Film Evaluation Council of Vietnam has chosen to exclude Barbie from its cinema circuit, attributing this decision to the film’s recognition of the “nine-dash line” – a U-shaped demarcation symbolizing China’s territorial assertions in the South China Sea. Vietnam’s longstanding contestation of these claims in international courts has led to a stringent policy against any film endorsing the nine-dash line, barring its screening in Vietnamese theaters.
This mandate has similarly impacted other cinematic productions like DreamWorks’ ‘Abominable,’ Sony’s ‘Unchartered,’ and Netflix’s ‘Pine Gap.’ Occasionally, contentious content is negotiated between studios and concerned countries, allowing for necessary edits or removal to enable screenings. However, in this case, no such agreement seems forthcoming.
The Silver Lining: ‘Barbie’ Projected to Dominate the Box Office
Despite the Vietnam setback, Barbie is predicted to be a summer blockbuster with a projected domestic opening box office collection of $80 million. This expected figure outpaces several other summer releases, including ‘The Flash,’ ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ the latter two set to release on the same day, with a projected opening of around $40 million. The lack of a Vietnamese box office isn’t deterring Barbie as she gears up to make a grand arrival in her iconic pink convertible on July 21.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, while geopolitical factors have cast a shadow over the international reception of Gerwig’s ‘Barbie,’ the film continues to fuel enthusiasm in Western audiences. Regardless of the roadblock in Vietnam, ‘Barbie’ stands poised to rule the summer box office, affirming the global appeal of Mattel’s iconic fashion doll. It’s a potent reminder that the cultural resonance of a well-crafted narrative often transcends boundaries, despite the challenges posed by international politics.
