Denzel Washington’s casting as Hannibal in Netflix film sparks race controversy in Tunisia

[CharlieH]

 

Newspapers and politicians discuss general’s skin tone, saying actor’s casting in the role created ‘a historical error’

 

 

A decision to cast black actor Denzel Washington as the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in an upcoming Netflix film has sparked a small but heated debate in Tunisia, the military general’s birthplace.

After a similar controversy on race and representation in nearby Egypt over a Netflix docudrama about Cleopatra, Tunisian newspapers, social media and even the halls of parliament have seen discussion on the skin tone of the long-dead leader.

 

French-language Tunisian news outlet La Presse published an article saying the casting created “a historical error”, while on social media, some users accused Netflix of promoting “woke culture”. An online petition signed by 1,300 people urged Netflix to “cancel its pseudo-documentary” and called on the ministry of culture to “take action against the attempt to steal our history”.

 

FULL STORY

 

[KhunLA]

A north African could easily had dark skin, so what's the problem.  No photos of Hannibal.  Don't think they sold sunscreen back then, 247 BC.

 

Looking well tanned up in this image of, w/nappy beard: