Expected on May 10 on Netflix, the documentary series queen cleopatra it provokes many reactions for the choice of a black actress, Adela James, to play the Queen of Egypt. Director Tina Gharavi reacted to this controversy in the columns of variety: “Why does a black Cleopatra bother you so much?”
“I remember seeing Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra as a child. [dans le film Joseph L. Mankiewicz, sorti en 1963, NDLR]. I was fascinated, but even at that moment, I found that this image was not the correct one. Was her skin really that white?” she wrote.
In making this documentary series, Tina Gharavi hoped to “find answers about Cleopatra’s origins” in order to “free her from Hollywood’s grip on her image.” “During my research, I understood that it would be an incredible political act to see Cleopatra played by a black actress.”
“Cleopatra’s story speaks less about her than about us”
“The fact that people have portrayed her so poorly before, from Theda Bara to Monica Bellucci, and most recently Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot vying to play her, pushed me to be as fair as possible,” says the director. “Historians confirm that Cleopatra looked more like Adele James than Elizabeth Taylor.”
“Cleopatra is black? We really don’t know, but […] we have to discuss our relationship with skin color, this internalized racism that Hollywood has indoctrinated us with,” he says. “We have to understand that Cleopatra’s story is less about her than it is about us.
“We must unleash our imaginations and boldly recreate a world where we can explore our historical figures without fear of portraying them with complexity. I am proud of ‘Queen Cleopatra,’ this new Cleopatra, and the team that created her.”
18,000 signatures
The choice of Adele James has angered disgruntled internet users, with some accusing Netflix of “canceling culture” or “rewriting history”. The controversy is such that even a petition has has been put online to request the removal of the series from Netflix. To date it has more than 18,000 signatures.
An Egyptian lawyer, Mahmoud al-Semary, also filed a lawsuit this week against Netflix, accusing the platform of “infringement.” “What Netflix shows is not in accordance with Islam and the values and principles of Egyptian society,” he wrote in his complaint.
The comedian Adele James has spoken on social networks to denounce the criticism and insults she has received since the trailer was broadcast. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated on my account. You will be banned without hesitation. If you don’t like the cast, don’t watch the show.”
Source: BFM TV
