"Nina," which hits theaters and VOD on April 22, stars Zoe Saldana as the blues legend who was a major figure during the civil rights movement. And the idea that a light-skinned Latina actress was cast over a black counterpart has gotten a big thumbs-down on Twitter.
"Don't get me Wrong Zoe Saldana is a great actress! But you mean NO black singing actresses could play the part of Nina Simone? #Disappointed," tweeted one commentator.
Judging from the trailer, which debuted on the "Today" show, Saldana brings the dramatic chops to the project. She's joined by an impressive backup band in front of and behind the camera, including co-star David Oyelowo ("Selma") and director Cynthia Mort ("The Brave One.")
Saldana had signed on for the project in 2012 — and faced uproar over the choice ever since.
"In the case of Simone, much of her legacy is tied to her appearance," Marc Lamont Hill wrote in 2013 for Ebony. "In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s when blacks were straightening their hair and bleaching their skin, Simone had the courage to fully embrace her beautiful dark skin, kinky hair, full lips and wide nose without apology.
"Simone's mind, body and spirit were a fierce challenge to the logic of white supremacy."
Simone is an important figure in American history for the black community, with the High Priestess of Soul having provided a soundtrack for the late 60s with racially-affirming anthems like "Ain't Got No/I Got Life" and "Mississippi Goddam."
The "Feelin' Good" crooner, who died in 2003, has made a comeback in the past year. She was the subject of the Netflix documentary, "What Happened, Miss Simone?," which was nominated for an Oscar.
Link : http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/nina-trailer-debuts-sparks-flap-zoe-saldana-casting-article-1.2550435
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