"Cleopatra is Black?" Netflix 'Blackwashing' Controversy

Netflix History Documentary 'Queen Cleopatra'
Egyptian Archaeologist: "Fiction, Not Documentary"
Overseas Netizens: "What Does Wakanda Forever Mean?"

A controversy over "blackwashing" has arisen surrounding the Netflix historical documentary "Queen Cleopatra," scheduled for release next month. Criticism is particularly strong in Egypt and Greece, which are historically directly related to Cleopatra.

The Egypt Independent reported on the 14th (local time) that the renowned archaeologist and former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass, called the Netflix documentary "completely fictional."

The trailer for the Netflix documentary 'Queen Cleopatra' was recently released, sparking controversy over 'blackwashing' as Black actress Adele James portrays Cleopatra VII.
[Photo by Netflix Official YouTube]

Hawass explained, "Cleopatra was Greek," adding, "This means she was blonde, not black." He further pointed out that claims by African Americans or Afro-Latinos in recent years that "Egyptian civilization originates from black people" are "completely wrong."

According to Hawass, except for the 25th Dynasty at the very end of the thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history, there is no connection between black civilizations and Egyptian civilization.

Hawass also referred to Egyptian temple wall paintings depicting Egyptian kings striking their enemies, saying, "These enemies are portrayed as Africans, Nubians, Libyans, and Asians, all of whom look very different in nationality from the Egyptian kings."

He reiterated his criticism, saying, "Netflix is spreading false information that the origin of Egyptian civilization is black."

Ptolemaic Dynasty Maintained Pure Bloodline Through Incestuous Marriages

The trailer for the Netflix documentary 'Queen Cleopatra' was recently released, featuring Black actress Adele James portraying Cleopatra VII, sparking controversy over 'blackwashing.'
[Photo by Netflix Official YouTube]

Greek media outlet Greek Reporter also reported, "The Netflix documentary is being criticized for blackwashing by portraying Cleopatra VII, a historical figure of Greek descent, as black."

The outlet then introduced in detail the life of Cleopatra VII (69 BC?30 BC), the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

The Ptolemaic dynasty was established in the Egyptian region in 305 BC by Ptolemy I, a Greek general of Alexander the Great.

At that time, Egypt was composed of various ethnic groups. However, the Ptolemaic dynasty was famous for maintaining a pure bloodline through incestuous marriages and preserving its Hellenistic character.

The trailer released on the 13th has received over 26,000 comments as of the 17th. A significant number of these criticize blackwashing.

A netizen who claimed to have majored in ancient literature at university commented, "This trailer is an insult to historians," advising, "Please read the Wikipedia page on Cleopatra." This comment received over 8,000 likes.

Another netizen sarcastically remarked that "I got goosebumps when Cleopatra shouted 'Wakanda Forever,'" implying that the documentary is not based on actual history.

Meanwhile, in Netflix's "Queen Cleopatra," black actress Adele James plays Cleopatra. The production is handled by Westbrook Studios, a film company founded by the couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.