Warner Bros.' upcoming Barbie movie has found itself at the centre of controversy as Vietnam decided to ban the film due to a map depicting China's claims in the South China Sea.

However, Warner Bros. has defended the inclusion of the map, stating that it is a "child-like" drawing with no intended significance.

The map in question shows China's unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea, including areas that Vietnam considers its own. Vietnamese authorities objected to the depiction of the so-called nine-dash line, which represents China's expansive territorial claims in the region.

In response, Warner Bros. stated that the map is part of a whimsical, child-like crayon drawing in Barbie Land. The studio clarified that it was not intended to make any type of political statement.

The controversy has resulted in the ban of the movie's domestic distribution in Vietnam, which was originally scheduled to coincide with its release in the United States.

This is not the first time Vietnam has banned a movie or taken action against depictions of China's nine-dash line. The line was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016, but China refuses to recognise it.

The Barbie movie ban is just one example of how geopolitical tensions can spill over into various aspects of popular culture, including films and music.

It highlights the sensitivity surrounding territorial disputes and the complexities of navigating international entertainment in a politically charged world.