Reactions to the showing of the documentary film Cleopatra, produced by the Netflix platform, continued, as two lawsuits were filed to demand that the platform be stopped in Egypt, that the film be canceled and that the film be compensated for $ 2 billion for the historical damages it carried. The famous archaeologist Zahi Hawass also participated in a new documentary about the queen. The Egyptian, and the documentary channel intends to produce another movie.

Cleopatra movie Jada smith

Since the publication of the advertisement for the movie Cleopatra on the Netflix platform, the documentary has faced criticism from the Egyptian authorities and archaeologists, due to the appearance of the heroine with African features and dark skin, which is considered a falsification of Egyptian History, stressing that there are many antiquities of Queen Cleopatra, including statues and depictions on coins It confirms the true shape and features of her, which all show the Hellenistic (Greek) features of Queen Cleopatra in terms of light skin, drawn nose and thin lips.

In this regard, the lawyer, Amr Abdel Salam, said that he had filed a lawsuit before the Administrative Court, to compel the Egyptian authorities to intervene to stop broadcasting the Netflix platform inside Egypt, in objection to the platform’s production of a documentary about Queen Cleopatra aimed at falsifying history, through the appearance of the heroine with African features. And dark skin, to promote claims that the ancient Egyptians were of African descent, while all the antiquities that were discovered prove that the late queen was of Macedonian origin, and did not have African features as the film promotes.

And the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had previously published a statement in response to the Netflix movie about Cleopatra, in which it confirmed, quoting Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, that the Cleopatra movie is classified as a documentary and not a dramatic work, which requires those in charge of its production to be accurate. And relying on historical and scientific facts to ensure that the history and civilizations of peoples are not falsified.

Abdel Salam added, in exclusive statements to “CNN in Arabic”, that the lawsuit included a request to the Egyptian authorities to address the UNESCO system to stop broadcasting and broadcasting the documentary film Cleopatra, as it represents an attack on the Egyptian heritage, as well as moving at the international level to sue the Netflix platform and the filmmakers before the American judiciary. To demand the cessation of broadcasting the film, and financial compensation for the damages caused to Egypt, as a result of the falsification of Egyptian facts and history.

Amr Abdel Salam indicated that the goal of producing the Netflix platform for the documentary film “Cleopatra” is to promote “Afrocentric” ideas, which requires the Egyptian state to confront these ideas, which have begun to spread in most European and African countries, warning of the danger of these ideas, which coincided with With unrest in Sudan.

And the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had previously quoted, in an official statement, on Samia Al-Mirghani, the former Director General of the Center for Research and Conservation of Antiquities at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, that biological anthropology studies and DNA studies conducted on ancient Egyptian mummies and human bones confirmed that the Egyptians do not bear the features of sub-Saharan Africans. Whether in the shape of the skull, the width of the cheeks and nose, the breadth and advancement of the upper jaw, the apparent shape of the hair, the proportions of the body parts, the length of stature, or the distribution and density of body hair.

This was not the only lawsuit that the Egyptian courts received in the recent period regarding the Cleopatra movie, as Counselor Essam Refaat filed another lawsuit calling for stopping the Netflix platform in Egypt, and obliging it to pay compensation of $ 2 billion for the historical and scientific damages that affected the Egyptian identity and its history from showing the film. , according to local media.

In a related context, the famous Egyptian archaeologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass, participated and produced a documentary film about Queen Cleopatra, which was shown yesterday on the same day as the Netflix platform film, and other archaeologists, including Dr. Kathleen Martinez and Dr. Sahar Selim, participated in the appearance in the film, and the film was shown on websites and applications. , including Youtube, Local News, and Amazon Prime, and the Documentary Channel – one of the channels of the United Media Services Group – is preparing to produce a documentary film about Queen Cleopatra VII, confirming that it is cooperating with specialists in history and archeology.

Who is Cleopatra?

She was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Cleopatra VII, commonly known as Cleopatra, reigned as the queen of Egypt from 51 BC until her death in 30 BC. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which was of Greek origin and ruled Egypt for nearly three centuries. Cleopatra’s reign was marked by political intrigue, alliances, and conflicts with the Roman Empire, particularly with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Despite her efforts to maintain Egypt’s independence, she ultimately faced defeat, leading to her suicide.

The History of cleopatra

Cleopatra VII, commonly known as Cleopatra, was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. Cleopatra became queen at the age of 18 after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII Auletes.

During her reign, Cleopatra faced numerous challenges, including political instability and external threats from the Roman Republic. To secure her position, she formed relationships with prominent Roman leaders, starting with Julius Caesar. In 48 BC, Cleopatra visited Rome and stayed with Caesar, with whom she had a son named Caesarion.

After Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, Cleopatra returned to Egypt. In 41 BC, she formed an alliance with Mark Antony, a Roman general and one of the triumvirs ruling Rome. Cleopatra and Antony had three children together. Their relationship became central to Cleopatra’s political strategy.

In 31 BC, Cleopatra and Antony faced a military conflict against Octavian, the future Roman Emperor Augustus. The Battle of Actium resulted in their defeat, and Cleopatra and Antony retreated to Egypt. Faced with the prospect of capture, Cleopatra committed suicide, traditionally by allowing herself to be bitten by an asp, a venomous snake, in 30 BC. Following her death, Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire.

Cleopatra’s reign is often remembered for her strategic alliances with powerful Roman leaders, her legendary beauty, and her role in the demise of Antony. She is a prominent figure in history, celebrated for her intelligence, charm, and political acumen, as well as her influence on the cultural and political landscape of ancient Egypt.

What is ِAfrocentric movement?

The Afrocentric movement is a social, cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 20th century. Emphasizes the importance of African history and culture and contributions to world civilization. The movement seeks to counter Eurocentrism, which has historically marginalized or diminished the achievements and contributions of African peoples.

Afrocentrism promotes the idea that African history and culture should be studied, evaluated, and celebrated on their own terms, rather than viewed in terms of European or Western perspectives. It seeks to restore and affirm African identity, dignity, and agency. People of African descent argue that African civilizations and societies have made significant contributions to fields such as science, mathematics, philosophy, art, and literature, challenging the notion that Africa has had little or no historical influence.

Central figures in the Afrocentric movement include scholars such as Cheikh Anta Diop, Chancellor Williams, and Molefi Kete Ashanti, who have written extensively on African history and culture and the importance of Afrocentric education.

Critics of Afrocentrism argue that it can sometimes promote a distorted view of history by overemphasizing Africa’s achievements or underestimating the complexity and diversity within the continent. They also argue that Afrocentrism can lead to the essentialization of African identity or the promotion of separatism.

Overall, the Afrocentric movement aims to challenge prevailing narratives and promote a more holistic and nuanced understanding of African history, culture, and contributions to human civilization. It has had a significant impact on academia, education, and cultural discourse, sparking debates about identity, history, and the importance of diverse viewpoints.

But recently, the movement has become oriented towards the history of East African countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Libya, emphasizing that the Arab heritage and Arab civilization belong to them. A country in the face of this movement by responding to allegations such as the movie Cleopatra directed by Jada Smith