MTRCB allows ‘Barbie’ to screen in PH theaters

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MTRCB allows ‘Barbie’ to screen in PH theaters

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The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has ruled in favor of allowing the highly-anticipated Hollywood film Barbie to screen in Philippine theaters this month. The MTRCB decided to allow the film to be shown in cinemas after it found “no clear nor outright depiction of nine-dash line” in the movie.

Barbie was banned in Vietnam earlier this month over a scene which depicted a map that uses China’s controversial nine-dash line which has territorial claims over the West Philippine Sea.

“Considering the context by which the cartoonish map of the character ‘Weird Barbie’ was portrayed in the film, the Review Committee is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the ‘nine-dash line.’ Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the ‘real world’ as an integral part of the story,” the statement said.

The MTRCB shared that they conducted two review sessions, thorough deliberations, and consultations with relevant government agencies––which included an expert on the West Philippine Sea––before they came up with a decision.

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Barbie was classified by the MTRCB with a Parental Guidance rating––viewers below 13 years old are required to be accompanied by a parent or a supervising adult.

Meanwhile, Philippine lawmakers have varying opinions on the highly-anticipated film. Senator Risa Hontiveros released an earlier statement that the movie should still be shown since it is fictional.

“The movie is fiction, and so is the nine-dash line,” she shared.

On the other hand, Senator Francis Tolentino shared how saddened he was by the decision after asking the MTRCB to ban the movie. 

“Tayo po ay nalulungkot dahil bukas (July 12) 'yung ika-7 anibersaryo ng pagkapanalo natin sa Arbitral Court na pinawalang-bisa iyung 9-dash line," he said.

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A spokesperson from Warner Bros. Film Group––the production house of Barbie––defended the film and shared that the map “is a child-like crayon drawing” and doesn’t have any political statements.

“The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing. The doodles depict Barbie’s make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the ‘real world.’ It was not intended to make any type of statement,” the spokesperson shared. 

Barbie is set to be shown in Philippine theaters nationwide starting on July 19. The film is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

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