The speaker discusses a Netflix documentary series, "Queen Cleopatra", which has been heavily criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of Cleopatra as a black woman. The series, produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, aimed to highlight the stories of black female rulers throughout history, but instead, it has been accused of distorting reality and falsifying Egyptian history. The speaker argues that the show's creators have no solid evidence to support their claims and are instead relying on personal opinions and biases. The Egyptian government has even sued Netflix over the documentary, citing its inaccuracy and potential to spread false information. The speaker criticizes the showrunners for their response to the backlash, which has been dismissive and accusatory, and argues that they are trying to deflect criticism by equating their documentary with fictional movies from the past. The speaker concludes that the documentary is a lesson in the importance of accuracy and truth in storytelling.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A Netflix documentary series called "Queen Cleopatra" has sparked controversy and backlash.
2. The series claims to depict the life of Cleopatra, but has been accused of inaccuracy and rewriting history.
3. The show has been criticized for its portrayal of Cleopatra as a black woman, despite historical records indicating she was of Macedonian Greek heritage.
4. The series has received the lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. The show has been sued on behalf of the entire country of Egypt.
6. The head of the Supreme Council for Antiquities in Egypt, Mustafa Waziri, has stated that calling Cleopatra black would be a falsification of Egyptian history.
7. The show's producer, Jada Pinkett Smith, has stated that the goal of the series is to shed light on important black female rulers throughout history.
8. The show's director, Tina Garavi, has defended the series, asking why Cleopatra cannot be portrayed as a "melanated sister".
9. The series has been accused of attempting to rewrite history and project 21st-century American ideals onto ancient Egyptian culture.
10. The show has sparked a wider conversation about colorism and internalized white supremacy in Hollywood.