Zoe Saldana to star in Nina Simone Biopic

[FilmKoala]

This thread makes me feel like certain people don't realize what "blackface" really was. I'm also really confused that certain people can get angry at a black woman being cast to portray a darker black woman. Are we really being that petty?

[Jonno2009]

people get their panties in a bunch over pretty much ANYTHING nowadays.

Maybe they should of used a time machine and cast a young Bruce Willis in Looper instead of using prosthetics on Joseph Gordon Levitt...

[Pounder]

Originally Posted by FilmKoala

This thread makes me feel like certain people don't realize what "blackface" really was. I'm also really confused that certain people can get angry at a black woman being cast to portray a darker black woman. Are we really being that petty?

I think the issue was/is that Zoe identifies herself as Hispanic and not black from what I've been reading. Some people don't like that she identifies as black only when its beneficial to her.

[FilmKoala]

Originally Posted by Pounder

I think the issue was/is that Zoe identifies herself as Hispanic and not black from what I've been reading. Some people don't like that she identifies as black only when its beneficial to her.

Well then, that makes some more sense. I can slightly understand that, but even then I find it silly.

[KOQ24]

Originally Posted by FilmKoala

This thread makes me feel like certain people don't realize what "blackface" really was. I'm also really confused that certain people can get angry at a black woman being cast to portray a darker black woman. Are we really being that petty?

Yes, because darker black women have trouble getting work in Hollywood.
Seems like a Nina Simone Biopic is a golden opportunity for a darker-skinned actress no?

It's like Chris Rock said at the Oscars: It's not about getting nominated, it's about getting opportunities.

He used Di Caprio as an example,who gets bombarded with great Projects by the likes of Scorsese,Inarritu,Spielberg etc.
Meanwhile, Idris Elba has to resort to Netflix Projects by up-and-coming Directors to work.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Chedwiggen

So does it upset you all when they have white actors wear make-up to lighten their skin when they play an Albino character?

Not me. I dont think white people or other races are upset about this film. This is sumthin upsetting in the black community due to certain issues that affect us. Now maybe there were white people or Albinos that got upset Im not sure. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by FilmKoala

This thread makes me feel like certain people don't realize what "blackface" really was. I'm also really confused that certain people can get angry at a black woman being cast to portray a darker black woman. Are we really being that petty?

See below. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by KOQ24

Yes, because darker black women have trouble getting work in Hollywood.
Seems like a Nina Simone Biopic is a golden opportunity for a darker-skinned actress no?

It's like Chris Rock said at the Oscars: It's not about getting nominated, it's about getting opportunities.

He used Di Caprio as an example,who gets bombarded with great Projects by the likes of Scorsese,Inarritu,Spielberg etc.
Meanwhile, Idris Elba has to resort to Netflix Projects by up-and-coming Directors to work.

Good read. Got Em!!

[klauswhereareyou]

‘Southside With You’ Exclusive First Clip: Inside the Obama First Date Movie - YouTube

Any controversy with this??? Parker Sawyers is not the same complexion from what I see in this clip as our President.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by FilmKoala

This thread makes me feel like certain people don't realize what "blackface" really was. I'm also really confused that certain people can get angry at a black woman being cast to portray a darker black woman. Are we really being that petty?

There has historically been racism from lighter-skinned blacks against darker-skinned blacks. It's not petty since it is a real issue that darker-skinned blacks go through within the black community.

I actually thought this whole thing was being overblown until I saw the trailer just now. She looks like Robert Downey Jr. from Tropic Thunder with all that make-up.

Originally Posted by John Klein

While I completely get the lack of opportunities of darker skin blacks is a big issue but having a double stranded is a completely different story.

True humans should be able to play humans as we all have DNA. But I think KOQ24 nailed it as being a social issue of opportunity, which is lower for the darker-skinned.

I do think one can look at other cases equivalently, such as Johnny Depp using aging make-up in Black Mass. While a similar situation, we don't see a backlash because there is less underlying social tension.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

For me, I find this debate a little weird as isn't the idea to try and get the best person for the role? Obviously you don't want to cast someone white/asian/etc for the role and try using makeup but if they think Saldana is the best for the role, then what is the issue? I do understand that there are issues with darker skinned actors not getting roles and I think that is something Hollywood needs to seriously look at but I think sometimes we go a little overboard on these things. For me, it is still a matter of talent - I don't think Saldana is really a good actress. She has been in some successful movies but nothing where she was the main star like here. I think that is more the issue - they went for a "name" rather than the best they could get.

Right if she never used blackface than there wouldnt be an issue. The only possible issue would be she was mis casted which we see all the time but its not as bad as wearing blackface which is a whole nutha monster in itself. She definitely got the part because of her name. She definitely wasnt the best options. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by John Klein

It is a double standard if you are completely fine with a darker black actor portraying someone lighter then them but get offended if a light skin black person has to darken their skin to portray someone darker.

Both people are part of the same group, you are just telling one of them they can't do something because they are not the right skin tone while the other group is completely fine to portray anyone in the entire group even if their skin tone isn't correct to portray someone from the other group.

"dou·ble stand·ard
noun
a rule or principle that is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups."

Dude again the difference is one is using blackface and thats the issue. Its not about light playing dark or vice versa. Its about wearing blackface and a ugly nose that she agreed to do which looks silly. She was not the best actress for the job, but she is a big name so they chose her. If she didnt use blackface than it wouldnt have been an issue. Maybe people would say she wasnt the right person to cast for the part but atleast it wouldnt be because of blackface. Big difference man. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by DjMethod

There has historically been racism from lighter-skinned blacks against darker-skinned blacks. It's not petty since it is a real issue that darker-skinned blacks go through within the black community.

I actually thought this whole thing was being overblown until I saw the trailer just now. She looks like Robert Downey Jr. from Tropic Thunder with all that make-up.



True humans should be able to play humans as we all have DNA. But I think KOQ24 nailed it as being a social issue of opportunity, which is lower for the darker-skinned.

I do think one can look at other cases equivalently, such as Johnny Depp using aging make-up in Black Mass. While a similar situation, we don't see a backlash because there is less underlying social tension.

Well said. Got Em!!

[Filmasong]

Bad casting, nothing against Zoe but when doing a bio the actor should somewhat resemble the one he or she is portraying.

[klauswhereareyou]

Problem is Hollywood thinks hey we need a "fill in the ethnicity" how about we cast the same person we always cast. It's like how everytime there's an Asian character Hollywood decides "Hey let's get Ken Wantanabe." I guess sometimes it's not even that, how many times to we have to see talentless actors like Channing Tatum put in everything. Heck if the producers of this could've gotten away with it, 'Ol Channing probably would be playing Nina Simone. We need new people in films in general. Today's "Stars" are preaty much worthless and don't even have the charm that the big names of just a decade or so ago did...and that's saying something!!!!