Jada Smith’s African Queens’ first season was a spinning success on Netflix with the second season quickly following suit. The first season focused on the story of Queen Njinga and was a docuseries. The second season is set to revolve around Queen Cleopatra, who is famous already as the series means to show a completely different side of her.
The upcoming season is going to show a version of the Queen that might as well be historically incorrect seeing how much controversial it is becoming. The main reason for this is Cleopatra’s Hellenic features which proved her being a light-skinned Egyptian ruler. However, Smith has added to her creative freedom and changed quite a few facts about her story including her race, which she has swapped to being that of a black woman.
Historians Stand Against Jada Smith’s Cleopatra Documentary
Jada Smith’s docuseries’s second season elaborates on the story of Queen Cleopatra. Smith as the producer talks about the focus that is often missed when it comes to the heritage and history of women in power who are particularly women of color. However, that enough did not work well with the series as fans had already been objecting to the race-swap for Cleopatra. Now, the Ministry of Tourism of Egypt has interfered in the process.
“the appearance of the heroine in this body is a falsification of Egyptian history and a blatant historical misconception.”
Smith focused on how the perception of the Queen has been shown to be quite focused on her feminine beauty and her life that focused outside of her courtly duties. That was not what concerned archeologists and historians.
“She’s been displayed as overtly sexual, excessive, and corrupt, yet she was a strategist, an intellect, a commanding force of nature, who fought to protect her kingdom…and her heritage is highly debated. This season will dive deeper into her history and re-assesses this fascinating part of her story.”
Their main issue falls under the fact that because it happens to be a documentary, changes made to actual facts cannot be appreciated. With all the proof available for the world to see, Cleopatra was a woman with light skin, and the fact that her character was race swapped stands directly against the facts that are being presented.
Jada Pinkett Smith Should Have Consulted Professionals Before Going Forward
Queen Cleopatra’s origins were purely Macedonian and her ancestry went back to Alexander the Great as well. Her features were Hellenic and were far from what Jada Smith chose to present in the series. The government even focused on how if in case the series was a drama then a lot of problems would not have been there. However, it is a documentary, a show that should purely focus on facts and figures.
“Archaeologists and anthropologists should have been referred to when making such kind of documentary and historical films that will remain a witness on civilizations and history of nations,” the government body continued. “Noting that there are many Queen Cleopatra’s artifacts and depiction on coins that confirm its true shape and features, which they all show off Queen Cleopatra’s Hellenic (Greek) features, in terms of light complexion, drawn nose, and fluffy lips.”
According to the Ministry of Tourism and other archeologists, there is an ample amount of proof regarding her origins. From coins to paintings, there is endless proof that completely defies what direction the series has gone to and that instead, Smith should have consulted professionals.
The second season of African Queens will be available to watch on Netflix from 10th May.
Source: Bounding Into Comics
