Black Is Her Colour: The Controversy over 'Nina' - Chris "Preach" Smith

Nina Simone.

For the past few days, an arguably greater storm than Hurricane Sandy has
gotten the attention of folks worldwide. And it all lies at the heart of a motion
picture depicting the life of one of America’s - and the world’s - greatest singers.
Nina Simone, to be really honest, was much more than just a singer. She was
and is an unquestioned pillar of Blackness in artistry and social awareness. Like
many others, I can recall moments at family house parties where at least one
of her records were on heavy rotation. Nina created music that found its heart in
our lives, our struggles, our triumphs much like other artists of her day. But she
did it on her own terms, and whenever you saw her, you bathed deeply  in that
Blackness she owned and was fiercely proud of. And it made you better for it. Which
is why this biopic and the controversy it contains is nothing short of horrendous.

It began with news of who they cast to play Nina, Zoe Saldana. I love Zoe as an
actress and as a woman, as I’m sure many do. But her casting was, and is, a slap
in the face to Nina’s family. It isn’t Zoe Saldana’s fault. Let’s be real about this part
of it, the filmmaking machine of Hollywood and its overseas arms are not terribly
concerned with historical accuracy. Especially when it comes to our stories. The 
group behind this flick have a 30 million dollar budget. And they want a hefty return.
Especially being based in the United Kingdom. They WANTED this publicity too. Even
bad press gets people in the door. Ask Tyler Perry. Think about the actresses that 
could have been cast. Viola Davis, Kimberly Elise, Regina Taylor would have been
ideal. If you wanted to go younger, Adepero Oduye would have been excellent. But
to the producers & director, none of these women worked because the belief is that
dark-skinned women in lead roles haven’t been in vogue since the days of Cicely
Tyson and Lola Falana.

Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone.

And the end result is that Zoe Saldana has to wear dental implants and darker makeup in
order to portray Nina. Yes, she’s Afro-Latina, and proud to be so. But this is the machine at
work. It’s been that way since the old days of Hollywood. It’s the paper bag test committed
to celluloid. Many fine actresses have suffered because of it, from Hattie McDaniels to Nichelle
Nichols to Gloria Hendry and others in between. I think about how Grace Jones became a 
Bond Girl and basically was a highlight of ‘A View To A Kill.’ Yet, Hollywood won’t change.
Not unless they are compelled to, and it begins with the dollars. Not with heaping anger on
Zoe Saldana because, she’s trapped in the system. From her position, it is a dream role. And
a chance to be more than a sex symbol. For actresses of color, fighting type is a job all by 
itself. Where the blame lies is with the group behind this flick. They could have avoided this.
Think about this…if you don’t even speak to the DAUGHTER of the woman who you’re doing
a movie about, how concerned are you with what the public really will gain from your picture
outside of a couple of hours of enjoyment? Jimmy Iovine is also attached to this project, so
you can smell the hustle here.

One thing is certain though. We can be mad all we want to be. But what we can’t be anymore 
is solely reactionary. I know that there is a petition to the filmmakers behind ‘Nina’, but I 
think what may be needed is another biopic. One with a female director of color preferably. 
Have talented, diverse writers. Authentic casting. And funded through crowdsourcing like 
Kickstarter for example, if not through funding from other notable folks much like how Melvin
Van Peebles got funding for ‘Sweet Sweetback’s Badassss Song.’ It’s been done before, and it
can be done again. I mean, if there was a dollar or two given for each person voicing displeasure
or each Tweet or Facebook message over this, you’d be in business. And there will be those who
will see this film. It’s inevitable. But it doesn’t mean that this has to be the definitive take on 
Nina Simone’s life by any means. Let’s hope that all this energy will power projects we can all
get behind with no hesitation.