Friday, April 22 the much talked about, highly controversial film “Nina” will be released in theaters. The film stars the very popular actress Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. Because she does not remotely favor Simone, Saldana’s skin was cosmetically darkened, a prosthetic nose and enhanced chin were also added to better capture Nina Simone’s look.
Saldana, a very versatile actress is one of the few…dare I say ethnic? actresses that has managed to star in a variety of roles. From lovers that span nearly every culture, to action thrillers and roles as aliens. Saldana even sings, yes that’s her voice you will hear when she sings as Nina Simone… and some critics say she sounds good.
Because she pops up in a variety of roles, to me it would have been more honest to let Saldana be Saldana. I do realize some people would not take her seriously as Nina Simone but that’s a risk you take when you go against type. As it stands now, can the audience get pass the whole ‘Blackface’ thing?
Nina Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, voiced her displeasure with the actress’ physical appearance in the film, “There are many superb actresses of color who could more adequately represent my mother and could bring her to the screen with the proper script, the proper team and a sense of wanting to bring the truth of my mother’s journey to the masses,” Simone Kelly said. “And “Nina,” in my opinion, doesn’t do any of that.”
Nina Simone’s brother Sam Waymon was also critical of Saldana’s appearance in the film, telling the New York Daily News, “It’s an insult, to our people and their struggle and to all the things that Nina stood for in her music and all the things she stood for in her life. It takes a lot of guts and gall to do that,” adding that it’s “what we consider blackface.”
The film was written and directed by first-time filmmaker Cynthia Mort. Before this transition Mort worked as a writer, director and/or producer on shows like “Roseanne”, “Will & Grace,” and “Tell Me You Love Me.”
Mort brings real Hollywood flavor to the film…the “dirtier the better.” Bring on the drama, bring on the pain kind of focus. And there was a lot of pain in Nina Simone’s life.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy, “It’s not the biographical film this stupendous, if mightily troubled, musical and political figure deserved.” And like McCarthy I suggest you see the documentary “What Happened, Miss Simone?” before going to see the film “Nina.”
The documentary, “What Happened, Miss Simone,” was produced by Liz Garbus and hosted and narrated by Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, the doc gives you a more in depth and honest look at Nina Simone’s life. And what is so lovely about it, you’ll see actual film clips of Simone performing as well as being interviewed. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” can be seen on Netflix.
Simone’s daughters’ main issue with the film is the storyline focusing on a romantic relationship between Simone and her manager Clifton Henderson, played in the film by actor David Oyelowo. “The movie is about a relationship between my mother and Clifton which never took place. They never had an amorous relationship,” Simone Kelly said, adding that Henderson was gay. “The project has been tainted from the very beginning. Clearly, it is not the truth about my mother’s life and everyone now knows that. This is not how you want your loved ones remembered.”
When I first learned about the film a couple of years ago the storyline was focused on a gay male character that worked with Simone, I was disappointed that she was not the true focus of the film. I wondered how one could ignore such an iconic figure. I suppose they thought the same thing too.
Despite all of the drama surrounding this film, you can bet on the fact that Zoe Saldana, an accomplished actor will bring her best to the screen. In a sense like Nina Simone, she’s defying the odds against her.
“Nina” is in theaters this Friday.
