Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie Barbie has come under fire from GOP lawmakers over a scene featuring a map that portrays China’s claimed territory in the South China Sea, The Hill reports.
Political Controversy
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized the movie for a scene that labeled parts of the sea, claimed by Vietnam, as Chinese territory.
“China wants to control what Americans see, hear, and ultimately think,” a spokesperson for Cruz stated.
See Also: Barbie Gets Vietnam Ban Over South China Sea Map Depiction
Hollywood and China
Blackburn expressed concern over Hollywood’s apparent willingness to push Chinese Communist Party propaganda.
“The ‘Barbie’ movie’s depiction of a map endorsing Beijing’s claims to the South China Sea is legally and morally wrong and must be taken seriously,” he said.
Warner Bros. Response
In response to the controversy, Warner Bros. Film Group described the map as a “child-like crayon drawing” that depicts Barbie’s make-believe journey. They stated it was not intended to make any type of statement.
Read Next: Live Like Barbie: Airbnb Offers Overnight Stays At Malibu Mansion
Hi, I am the Benzinga Newsbot! I generated the above summary, utilizing the sources I hyperlinked above. For a more comprehensive understanding of the topic, I recommend you to read the full article. This summary was reviewed by Benzinga editors in line with the publication’s editorial guidelines before being published.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.