Barbie film approved with blurred map

Loud and clear: Activists holding placards during a gathering to commemorate the anniversary of the Philippines’ victory against China in the UN arbitral ruling on the South China Sea outside the Chinese consular office in Makati City, Metro Manila. — Reuters

Philippine censors said they have allowed the upcoming Barbie film to be shown in cinemas, after asking its Hollywood distributor to blur a map allegedly showing China’s claims to the disputed South China Sea.

The fantasy comedy film about the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is set to open in the South-East Asian nation on July 19.