An Egyptian state broadcaster has responded to the casting of a black actress Cleopatra in the Netflix The docudrama series ‘African Queens’, airing May 10, announces the production of its own big-budget Cleopatra documentary.
The fact that British Adele James, who is of mixed race, plays the first-century Egyptian ruler as a queen with African roots in the Netflix original produced by Jada Pinkett Smith caused an uproar in Egypt. Ever since the trailer was released last month, local scientists and others have been claiming that Cleopatra, born in 69 BC was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria to a Greek-speaking dynasty, was of European descent, and was not black.
In response to Netflix’s alleged falsification of Egyptian history, broadcaster Al Wathaeqya – a subsidiary of Egyptian state-owned United Media Services – has announced the start of production of a high-end documentary about the true story of Queen Cleopatra. what is claimed in a statement is based on “the highest level” of research and accuracy.
The Supreme Antiquities Council of Egypt, the government agency responsible for cultural heritage, has complained on Twitter that “Statues of Queen Cleopatra confirm that she had Hellenistic (Greek) facial features, characterized by fair skin, a long nose and thin lips.” awarded.”
Popular comedian Bassem Youssef accused Netflix of trying to “adopt our Egyptian culture” in a recent TV interview with British journalist Piers Morgan. And an Egyptian lawyer has filed a complaint calling for legal action to be taken to completely block Netflix in Egypt and prevent the show from airing, although it hasn’t done so — at least, not yet.
“Why do some people need Cleopatra to be white?” the show’s director, Tina Gharavi, wrote in an op-ed defended the casting in Variety online last month. “Maybe it’s not just because I directed a series where Cleopatra is portrayed as black, but also because I asked the Egyptians to see themselves as Africans and they’re angry with me for that. “
Netflix has repeatedly declined to comment.