“If the maternal side of her family were indigenous women, they would’ve been African, and this should be reflected in contemporary representations of Cleopatra.”
Except that the Ptolemies were incestuous and the local population was still mostly Copts. If this was presented as fiction, I’d have a lot less of an issue, it’s not like it’s less accurate than casting Elizabeth Taylor, but as a documentary it’s wrong.
The fact that she was Greek is only a bonus reason as to why this is wrong, the main problem is African-Americans appropriating Egyptian history and culture as their own.
Is she British? Based on Hollywood casting, all Egyptians with any power are British. /a
Fwiw, looking through a few articles, all take multiple paragraphs to name the actress:
>>The decision to cast a non-white Cleopatra, played by mixed-race actress **Adele James**, came from the desire of producers to represent black people on screen
maxanderson350 says
changing the race of historical figures is unnecessary and unhelpful.
Egyptians are right to be concerned and upset.
BelmontIncident says
“If the maternal side of her family were indigenous women, they would’ve been African, and this should be reflected in contemporary representations of Cleopatra.”
Except that the Ptolemies were incestuous and the local population was still mostly Copts. If this was presented as fiction, I’d have a lot less of an issue, it’s not like it’s less accurate than casting Elizabeth Taylor, but as a documentary it’s wrong.
tigerCELL says
Lmao where was this guy to sue Hollywood over this atrocity: https://youtu.be/IJBnK2wNQSo
phyrot12 says
The fact that she was Greek is only a bonus reason as to why this is wrong, the main problem is African-Americans appropriating Egyptian history and culture as their own.
mintyfreshismygod says
Is she British? Based on Hollywood casting, all Egyptians with any power are British. /a
Fwiw, looking through a few articles, all take multiple paragraphs to name the actress:
>>The decision to cast a non-white Cleopatra, played by mixed-race actress **Adele James**, came from the desire of producers to represent black people on screen
stifledmind says
Didn’t the black delegation draft Cleopatra in the Chappelle Show Racial Draft?
ramtax666 says
I’m betting the producers can’t find Egypt on a map, and take a 50/50 that they can’t point Africa on the globe.