Angelina Jolie As Mariane Pearl
This news is disturbing. Not because the movies content will be grousome or due to the fact Mariane Pearl is selling tons of books and movie rights based on her late husbands death. Angelina has been hired to play Mariane in her husbands story about his murder in the middle east. Angelina and Mariane have even become friends due to their mutual belief in international causes.
What is bothering me? The fact that Angelina is white, and Mariane is black. Although she is from France and not officially “American” (as pointed out to me on this blog). But it is not an issue of what country she is from but that Angelina is taking a role an African American could have landed if not for her connections.
Essentially, Angelina Jolie will be in black face. Does anyone else find this distasteful? Is this acceptable in the black community? Would they hire Jessica Tandy to play Rosa Parks? Would they have asked Charlize Theron to play Tina Turner? How about Brandy as Marie Antoinette, but in white face? Why did they not cast Thandie Newton? It is a shame that no other options were discussed when there are plenty of talented resources w/ out controversy. Marianne’s story may get lost in the media attention.
I had interest in the movie and Daniel Pearl’s bravery. But now I feel the meaning has been overshadowed by this casting error.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Thandie Newton looks more like her anyways.