As an ancient Egypt enthusiast, there are few things I enjoy more than a good historical drama featuring the land of the Nile. So, when I heard Netflix was doing a biopic series of Cleopatra VII, the iconic queen, I was excited.
There are so many versions of Cleopatra, who is always a popular subject, how could things go wrong?
Then, I remembered . . . it’s Netflix.
Egyptian experts have criticized Netflix for “blackwashing” its upcoming docu-series about Queen Cleopatra VII.Now, they’re taking action to see that the show never airs — by banning the streaming giant from the country completely.“African Queens: Queen Cleopatra” is narrated and executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, 51, and stars Adele James, 27, who is biracial, as the legendary queen of Egypt, whose specific race has long been the subject of historical dispute.Pinkett Smith previously explained that she wanted to be involved in the project because she “really wanted to represent Black women.”
Egyptian Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass denounced the biopic series and accused it of “falsifying facts.”
Cleopatra was Greek, meaning that she was blonde, not black.”Hawass added that in recent years a trend emerged, led by black Americans and blacks in South America, claiming that the Egyptian civilization is of black origin.He stressed that such claims were completely false.The black civilization has no connection with the Egyptian civilization, Hawass said, pointing out that the black civilization did not rule Egypt except in the twenty-fifth dynasty during the era of the Kingdom of Kush, i.e. at the end of the ancient Egyptian civilization.Hawass pointed out that Egyptian temples contain drawings of Egyptian kings. These sketches are depictions of men striking their enemies.The enemies are depicted as either African, Nubian, Libyan or Asian, and all of them look very different in nationality from the Egyptian kings.
While her hair color may be open to debate, there is a portrait of a woman wearing a diadem of Hellenic royalty, a hairstyle popular in Cleopatra’s era, wearing pearls (a popular fashion accessory at that time), and a profile similar to statues believed to be of the queen. Therefore, Hawass does have evidence to back up his claim. This image was created within the lifetime of someone who may have actually seen the real Cleopatra.
The furor in Egypt is such that an Egyptian lawyer is now suing Netflix over the casting.
Egyptian lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary has sued Netflix for depicting Cleopatra as a Black woman in a new documentary.al-Semary filed a case with the Public Prosecutor to shut down the streaming service in Egypt, following the release of the trailer for Queen Cleopatra – you can watch it below.As reported by Egypt Independent, the lawyer has demanded that serious legal action be taken against those responsible for the making of the documentary.The case claims that the documentary contradicts and distorts Egyptian history in favour of promoting Afrocentrism.al-Semary described the new depiction of the historic figure as a “crime”, and blamed Netflix’s management team for its participation in the project. He also demanded a thorough investigation of the process, as well as an outright shutdown of Netflix in Egypt.
To be honest, I have long given up on historical accuracy for anything related to ancient Egypt. All I really want is an entertainment that doesn’t insult my intelligence.
Furthermore, each era has its own version of Cleopatra. Why? She is depicted according to the beauty standards of the time. So, I am quite open to embracing a new view on the queen.
Also, the Netflix version is not the first to have a black actress selected for that role. As an example, here is a scene from Shakespeare’s version of “Antony and Cleopatra” starring Yanna McIntosh and Geraint Wyn Davies that was produced in 2015.
But it must be stressed the play is offered as fiction. Neflix is claiming its production is a “documentary,” so its production must be held to a higher standard of fact and reality.
Unfortunately, as the trailer indicates, the Netflix biopic will be filled with woke antics and deviations from actual history that do insult the intelligence. Reworking Cleopatra into Xena, Warrior Egyptian Queen is laughable.
I guess I should be grateful Netflix opted not to choose Lizzo for the part.
In a raw and unfiltered video posted to Instagram over the weekend, the Grammy-winning artist continued to boost body positivity as she expressed love and appreciation for herself. Rocking a cozy gray robe, a seemingly bare face, and damp, tousled hair, Lizzo took the time to showcase her entire look while confidently declaring, “I just finished showering and doing my little routine, and you know what I realized? I am f**king gorgeous. I am the beauty standard. Catch up, b*tch!”
However, all of this Neflix inanity has me wishing for the Liz version.
Will I watch it? Probably, yes. I am an Egyptophile and Egypt junkie. But that doesn’t mean I won’t mock it.
Until then, here is a detailed review of the trailer with actual historical information and fact-based analysis.
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