Egyptian lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary filed a lawsuit with the Ministry of State to shut down the Netflix platform in Egypt after the release of a trailer for the documentary, “Queen Cleopatra.”
The new documentary portrays the historical figure as a black woman.
The Egyptian lawyer called for serious legal action against those responsible for the production of the documentary. He accused Netflix’s management team of complicity in “this crime.”
He also called for a full investigation into the lawsuit and the resulting general disruption to the Netflix streaming service in Egypt.
The complaint, which was handed into the Public Prosecution, also stated that: “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.”
Also, read; Over $3M Raised For Ralph Yarl Who Survived Shooting After Ringing Wrong Doorbell
The complaint submitted against Netflix stated, “Most of what Netflix platform displays do not conform to Islamic and societal values and principles, especially Egyptian ones.”
She added that the promotion of the film, which has attracted millions of viewers around the world, contradicts Egyptian history.
The case says the documentary promotes Pan-Africanism, which aims to distort and erase Egyptian identity.
The complaint also accused the platform’s documentary makers and management of “fraud”.
Former Egyptian Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass described the depiction of Queen Cleopatra as a black woman as “a falsification of facts”, adding that “this is entirely fictional. Cleopatra was Greek, which means she is blonde and not black.”
Queen Cleopatra, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, died in 69 BC. born and died 30 BC. in Alexandria.
