The “Uncharted” video game franchise, created by Naughty Dog and brought to you by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is a critically acclaimed series designed specifically for PlayStation systems. There are four primary games, with the final installment — “Uncharted: A Thief’s End” — launching in 2018. Celebrated for its film-like narrative and compelling characters, it was expected when Sony opted to adapt the Uncharted franchise into a feature film.
Released in 2022, the “Uncharted” movie features Tom Holland as the main character, Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg as Victor “Sully” Sullivan, Drake’s mentor in treasure hunting. While the film performed adequately at the box office (earning over $407 million against a production budget of $120 million), the critical reception was somewhat mixed. Additionally, the film was prohibited in Vietnam and the Philippines, stemming from a map depicted within.
In the film directed by Ruben Fleischer, there is a moment when characters examine an ancient map which includes the controversial “nine-dash line” in the South Asian Sea. Historically, this line signifies China’s claim over various islands in that vicinity, including the Spratly and Paracel Islands. However, this is a disputed area claimed by several nations, such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
Both countries perceive the nine-dash line as a representation of China’s claims to territory, which have been at the center of ongoing maritime conflicts for decades. Showing the line on a map, even within a fictional narrative, is often interpreted as endorsing China’s dominion over the area.
Due to the inclusion of the nine-dash line, “Uncharted” faced a ban in Vietnam. Initially, the film was screened in the Philippines but was subsequently removed from theaters. The Foreign Ministry stated that the image was “contrary to national interest.” As a result, cinemas were directed to halt the film’s screenings, and future showings would necessitate alterations to either conceal or eliminate the contentious map.
This situation ignited discussions among audiences and film enthusiasts. Yet, for officials in both Vietnam and the Philippines, even minimal depictions touching on sensitive geopolitical matters were sufficient to prompt severe measures.
Interestingly, a similar conflict regarding the nine-dash line emerged a year later in a movie context. The 2023 film “Barbie” also contains a moment in which characters scrutinize a map featuring the disputed demarcation.
One can only hope that upcoming entries in the Mattel Cinematic Universe will steer clear of navigating geopolitical minefields, and that any new Uncharted films (whether fan-made or otherwise) will take a similar approach.