The docuseries Regina Cleopatra it still hasn’t come up Netflix – will arrive on May 10 – but has already attracted a lot of controversy. In particular, the criticisms concern the choice to cast the black British actress Adele James to play the Egyptian sovereign, chosen by the director Tina Gharavi he defended.
The criticisms don’t come only from the public. In this regard, the Supreme Council for Antiquitiesa 160-year-old Egyptian state organization responsible for the country’s cultural heritage and all its archaeological sites.
The Supreme Council for Antiquities considers the protagonist of Regina Cleopatra does not reflect the real ethnicity of the sovereign
The criticisms of docuseries Regina Cleopatra they claim that with the choice of actress Adele James a misrepresentation of the sovereign’s appearance and ethnic origins is brought to the screen.
Il Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). he joined the criticisms directed at the docuseries, reiterating however that racism is not the basis of the controversy. The ethnic origins of the sovereign have been much discussed among scholars for years.
As it reports Deadlinein a note released through the website of the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities of Egypt, the Supreme Council for Antiquities expresses its opposition to the representation of Cleopatra with “African features and dark skin”. The press release reads:
“Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities confirms that Queen Cleopatra had fair skin and Hellenic (Greek) features.”
The Secretary Mostafa Waziri marry the allegations of “historical forgery” adding:
“The portrayal of the heroine is a falsification of Egyptian history and a blatant historical error, especially since the series is classified as a documentary and not a dramatic work, which prompts those responsible for its production to investigate historical accuracy and rely on historical data and scientific facts to ensure that history and civilizations are not falsified”.
Waziri also denies that the controversy born in Egypt against the choice of Adele James for the role of Cleopatra has a racist matrix against people of African origin. He continues:
“The attitude of rejection that precedes the exit arises from the desire to defend the history of Queen Cleopatra VII, which is an important and authentic part of Egypt’s ancient history, and far from any ethnic racism, with full respect for the African civilizations and for our brothers on the African continent which brings us all together”.
The docuseries is produced and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith and will debut streaming on May 10. This is the synopsis given by Netflix: “As Egypt’s last queen, Cleopatra fights to protect her throne, family and legacy in this docudrama that includes reenactments and interviews with experts“. The docuseries consists of 4 episodes.