Egyptian lawyer sues Netflix over Queen Cleopatra - Egypt Independent
Egyptian lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a case with the Public Prosecutor to shut down the Netflix platform in Egypt, following the trailer release of “Queen Cleopatra,” a new documentary depicting the historical figure as a black woman.
www.egyptindependent.com
QUEEN CLEOPATRA: Netflix Sued By Egyptian Lawyer For Blackwashing History – Greek City Times
An Egyptian lawyer has filed a case with the Public Prosecutor to close the Netflix platform after the trailer of “Queen Cleopatra" was released, which
greekcitytimes.com
I've heard of "whitewashing" history, but I've never heard of "blackwashing" history before now.
An Egyptian lawyer has filed a case with the Public Prosecutor to close the Netflix platform after the trailer of “Queen Cleopatra" was released, which depicts the Greek historical figure as a black-skinned woman.
According to Egypt Independent, Mahmoud al-Semary demanded that all legal measures be taken against those responsible for the documentary and the management of the streaming platform for its participation in “this crime.” He also called for an investigation and for Netflix to be blocked in Egypt.
The complaint submitted against the streaming platform said that "most of what Netflix platform displays contradicts Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones."
It added that the platform displayed advertisements that attracted millions of people in the world to watch the documentary Queen Cleopatra, who was of Greek origin depicting her as black woman, unlike Egyptian history and civilization.
The case said that the documentary promotes Afrocentrism that is widely spread on social media, which have slogans and writings aimed at distorting and obliterating the Egyptian identity.
The complaint continued addressing Public Prosecution: "In order to preserve the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world and take pride in it, and to consolidate the spirit of belonging to the homeland, and accordingly we ask and seek you to take the necessary legal measures against this platform."
It demanded stopping broadcasts showing all works aimed at obliterating and distorting the Egyptian identity, through films aimed at falsifying and distorting history in Egypt.
The complaint accused makers of the documentary and platform management of forgery.
I've read that Cleopatra and the Ptolemies were of Greek origin, although they were in Egypt for centuries before Cleopatra was born. This other article (Inside The Cleopatra 'Race Controversy' — And Why Some Believe That She Was Black) examines the question, but the answer is that no one really knows.
I haven't had Netflix in years, not since they dropped The Rockford Files from their lineup. So, I have not seen this latest production about Cleopatra.
Could Cleopatra have been black? Does this Egyptian lawyer have a viable case? I'd be interested in hearing @Debater Slayer's take on this.
What do you think about this case?
Cleopatra has drawn a great deal of fascination from popular culture, although I wonder how much of it is legend and how much is actual history.