Egyptian lawyer sues Netflix over Queen Cleopatra

[Heyo]

I thought the progressive thing to do was to respect other cultures and listen to people from said cultures about their concerns and lived experiences. What gives? Has all of that flown out of the window this time because the crew behind this movie prioritize their American-centric identity politics over these values?

Maybe they should have picked an African Queen who really was African:
Hidden Black History: 7 African Queens Who Have Made Their Mark

 

[Augustus]

Maybe they should have picked an African Queen who really was African:
Hidden Black History: 7 African Queens Who Have Made Their Mark

Cleopatra really was African, it's just that not all Africans are black

(Nefertiti probably wan't black either)

 

[Estro Felino]

Cleopatra really was African, it's just that not all Africans are black

(Nefertiti probably wan't black either)

She was not African. She was Greek.
Ancient Egyptians were Africans. And they kinda looked like al-Sisi.
If you see Tutankhamon's facial reconstruction, it's evident.

 

[Revoltingest]

Reminds me of:

View attachment 75630

I notice in the cartoon world, that white voice actors
shouldn't voice black characters. (The Simpsons has
been busy replacing actors, eg, Dr Hibbard, Carl Carlson.)
But black actors are afforded more flexibility, eg, Phil
Lamarr.)

 

[Callisto]

I notice in the cartoon world, that white voice actors
shouldn't voice black characters. (The Simpsons has
been busy replacing actors, eg, Dr Hibbard, Carl Carlson.)
But black actors are afforded more flexibility, eg, Phil
Lamarr.)

I find the idea that only X actors can voice X characters to be insulting and as racist af.

And what about an actor who's biracial or multiracial, do they have take a DNA test to verify they're of a sufficient percentage to do the character? Should casting directors resurrect the brown bag test if they're not sure?

 

[Revoltingest]

I find the idea that only X actors can voice X characters to be insulting and as racist af.

And what about an actor who's biracial or multiracial, do they have take a DNA test to verify they're of a sufficient percentage to do the character? Should casting directors resurrect the brown bag test if they're not sure?

It's called "acting".
I've no problem with Phil Lamarr (black Ameristanian)
playing Samurai Jack (Japanese). Nor with Hank
Azaria (white Ameristanian) playing Apu (Indian)
or Nancy Cartwright playing Bart Simpson.
They did/do great work.

 

[Augustus]

She was not African. She was Greek.
Ancient Egyptians were Africans. And they kinda looked like al-Sisi.
If you see Tutankhamon's facial reconstruction, it's evident.

If your family went from England to America in 1720, you are an American .

Ancient Egyptians would have been quite diverse, as modern North Africans are. Many would have looked similar to Southern Europeans and other Mediterranean people, others would look more like Arabs and so forth.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I am suing the producers of "Hamilton"! I am gonna be rich!!

Cast & Creative

Hamilton, the hit musical. Book, Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler. Directed by Thomas Kail.

hamiltonmusical.com

 

[Estro Felino]

If your family went from England to America in 1720, you are an American .

Ancient Egyptians would have been quite diverse, as modern North Africans are. Many would have looked similar to Southern Europeans and other Mediterranean people, others would look more like Arabs and so forth.

That's a good point.
But for example, al-Sisi looks like very ancient Egyptian to me. Mubarak or Nasser look kinda Arabic.

 

[Augustus]

‘Queen Cleopatra’ Director Speaks Out: ‘What Bothers You So Much About a Black Cleopatra?’ (EXCLUSIVE)

'Queen Cleopatra' director Tina Gharavi responds to those criticizing the series for casting a Black lead to play Cleopatra with African heritage.

variety.com

The known facts are that her Macedonian Greek family — the Ptolemaic lineage — intermarried with West Asian’s Seleucid dynasty and had been in Egypt for 300 years. Cleopatra was eight generations away from these Ptolemaic ancestors, making the chance of her being white somewhat unlikely. After 300 years, surely, we can safely say Cleopatra was Egyptian. She was no more Greek or Macedonian than Rita Wilson or Jennifer Aniston. Both are one generation from Greece.

Apparently, according to scientific facts, simply living in Africa turns you black.

The Boers have been in South Africa for 400 years, so I better not see any of them depicted as blond haired and blue eyed anymore. we need to bring them into the 21st century.

Imagine having Matt Damon playing one of them, it's an insult to Nelson Mandela's memory. Wesley Snipes would have made a far more realistic Francois Pienaar.

Doing the research, I realized what a political act it would be to see Cleopatra portrayed by a Black actress. For me, the idea that people had gotten it so incredibly wrong before — historically, from Theda Bara to Monica Bellucci, and recently, with Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot in the running to play her — meant we had to get it even more right. The hunt was on to find the right performer to bring Cleopatra into the 21st century.


I'm wondering why she thinks a black person is more realistic than the "incredibly wrong" Gal Gadot or anyone else of Mediterranean appearance?

 

[Subduction Zone]

If your family went from England to America in 1720, you are an American .

Ancient Egyptians would have been quite diverse, as modern North Africans are. Many would have looked similar to Southern Europeans and other Mediterranean people, others would look more like Arabs and so forth.

Racism does not exist just in America. There are quite a few Egyptians, whether of Arabic or even Greek descent, that identify as white. They resent being included with the more negroid (I know, dated and somewhat racist term,, but it is being used to describe a racist belief) Africans. Do not call an Arabic African "black" no matter what you do. I have known some and asked them what race they considered themselves to be and they said "white".

Side note, this does mean that Jesus was "white" At one point he did qualify as white in the US since Arabic people were classified as white. Jesus was just never Northern European white with blue eyes and blonde or even light brown hair.

The problem is that there are no "black people" and "white people" it is all just a gradual variation. And racism is inherent in almost all populations. This is a racist lawsuit. And it is just a minor kerfuffle.

 

[Estro Felino]

That's what Cleopatra VII, the last monarch of the Ptolemaic dynasty, looked like.
All historians agree.

The populace have the right to think of Elizabeth Taylor, of Gal Gadot, of Jada Pinkett Smith.
They are free to do that. Historical reality is different.

 

[Stevicus]

She was not African. She was Greek.
Ancient Egyptians were Africans. And they kinda looked like al-Sisi.
If you see Tutankhamon's facial reconstruction, it's evident.

She was born on the continent of Africa, so that would make her African in that sense. But she was still of Greek ancestry.

 

[Estro Felino]

She was born on the continent of Africa, so that would make her African in that sense. But she was still of Greek ancestry.

Alexandria was a Greek enclave. All colonies of Southern Italy were considered "Greece".
Southern Italy was called Magna Graecia.

 

[Subduction Zone]

That's what Cleopatra VII, the last monarch of the Ptolemaic dynasty, looked like.
All historians agree.

The populace have the right to think of Elizabeth Talor, of Gal Gadot, of Jada Pinkett Smith.
They are free to do that. Historical reality is different.

For historical accuracy Liz is about as far "too white" as Jada is "too black". If Liz was accurate enough then Jada should be accurate enough too.

 

[Callisto]

She was born on the continent of Africa, so that would make her African in that sense. But she was still of Greek ancestry.

Yes, ethnicity and nationality often get confused. People can be of a particular ethnic group but have a different nationality.... like most Americans.

Prince Philip was Greek in nationality (originally; he was born in Corfu) and in ethnicity (Greek and German), yet nearly everyone considers him "English" (granted, they descend from Germanic tribes).

 

[Heyo]

Cleopatra really was African, it's just that not all Africans are black

(Nefertiti probably wan't black either)

Hatshepsut could have been.

 

[Heyo]

If your family went from England to America in 1720, you are an American .

Ancient Egyptians would have been quite diverse, as modern North Africans are. Many would have looked similar to Southern Europeans and other Mediterranean people, others would look more like Arabs and so forth.

Egyptian folk may have been but the aristocracy is known for "keeping it in the family".

 

[Estro Felino]

For historical accuracy Liz is about as far "too white" as Jada is "too black". If Liz was accurate enough then Jada should be accurate enough too.

I could also suspect that cinema wants perfection, and demands aesthetic perfection.
History is based upon realism.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I could also suspect that cinema wants perfection, and demands aesthetic perfection.
History is based upon realism.

Skin color should be a minor consideration for perfection. Acting abilities are far more important. I know nothing about Jada Smith's abilities. Liz demonstrated her chops quite often. But I do not watch movies any longer so my lack of knowledge of Jada's abilities in no way implies that she does not have those same abilities herself.