First Poster For Zoe Saldana’s Nina Simone Biopic Stirs Up ‘Blackface’ Controversy
The first poster for ‘Nina’, the long-awaited Nina Simone biopic starring Zoe Saldana in the title role, has been revealed by Entertainment Weekly and it’s stirred up the controversy surrounding the film once again.
The casting of the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star as the iconic singer raised a few eyebrows initially as the actress who’s of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent had to darken her skin and wear a prosthetic nose to look like the African-American star.
Outraged fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the poster.
QUESTION: Why did they DARKEN Zoe Saldana rather than cast a darker actress since it was such a crucial part of Nina Simone’s story?
— Dart_Adams (@Dart_Adams) March 1, 2016
That Zoe Saldana pic as Nina Simone looks like the blackface of a bad Halloween or frat party 😏
— ProfB (@AntheaButler) March 1, 2016
Zoe Saldana As Nina Simone Is What Happens When Diversity Doesn’t https://t.co/9k0iH9GZm0 pic.twitter.com/8SH0ItleJY
— VSB (@VerySmartBros) March 2, 2016
Critics attacked the film when it debuted at Cannes last year saying the casting of Saldana was a form of “blackface”, when other actresses with more suitable likeness and ethnicity were available.
Above: Nina Simone in 1977 (Rex)
Nina Simone’s daughter, the Broadway singer known simply as Simone, has been the film’s most vocal critic, telling Ebony magazine: “My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark. Appearance-wise this is not the best choice.”
She added, “I love Zoe Saldana’s work. I’ve seen some of her movies more than once and really enjoy what she brings to the screen. As an actress I respect her process, but I also know that there are many actresses out there, known or not, who would be great as my mother.”
Image credit: Fame Flynet
Saldana has defended her casting, telling HipHollywood: "The reality is what keeps me focused and what kept me from I guess getting stressed or being hurt by the comments is that I’m doing it for my sisters.“
She adding: "I’m doing it for my brothers. I don’t care who tells me that I am not this and I am not that. I know who I am and I know what Nina Simone means to me. So that is my truth and that set me free."
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Image credits: Instagram