An Egyptian lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the streaming platform Netflix for depicting Cleopatra as a black woman following the release of the trailer for the platform's upcoming movie on one of Egypt's most prominent historical figures.
According to media reports, lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a case with a public prosecutor calling to ban Netflix in the country for what he called a distortion of history. He insisted that the movie that depicts the Greek historical character as a black-skinned woman is historically inaccurate and offensive to the Egyptian people.
The lawyer demanded that all legal measures be taken against those responsible for the creation of the film and the management of the platform for its participation in this "crime."
He also accused the company of warped standards, saying in his lawsuit that "most of what Netflix platform displays does not conform to Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones."
"In order to preserve the Egyptian national and cultural identity among Egyptians all over the world, there must be pride in the makings of such work," the lawyer said in the lawsuit, adding: "We ask and seek you to take the necessary legal measures against this platform."
On April 12, Netflix released a trailer for its upcoming historical documentary "Queen Cleopatra". The series, which consists of four episodes, is centered around the life and reign of Queen Cleopatra VII Philopator, one of Ptolemaic Egypt’s most famous monarchs who ruled from 51 to 30 BC. The movie is expected to be released in May.
However, the series has already caused a wave of outrage for its controversial choice of main actress with people arguing that it doesn't portray historical facts. Netflix cast the British actress Adele James to play Cleopatra. Following a public backlash, the filmmakers defended their decision to choose a dark-skinned actress for the main role, arguing that there is no historical consensus on the roots of Cleopatra.