Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Denzel Washington's Casting As Famed General Hannibal In Film Sparks Controversy In Tunisia

Denzel Washington
Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images

The actor's casting in an upcoming Netflix film as Hannibal, who was born in Carthage (now known as Tunis), has sparked backlash for 'falsifying history' since Hannibal was of West Asian Semitic origin.

The casting of Denzel Washington as ancient Carthaginian General Hannibal has been met with some harsh criticism in Tunisia for "falsifying history."

The film will be directed by Antoine Fuqua—who brought us such Denzel greats as The Equalizer and Training Day—and will be "based on real-life warrior Hannibal, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history," focusing on "pivotal battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War."


But the Tunisian Parliament and their media aren't too happy about Washington, a Black man, portraying Hannibal who was of West Asian Semitic origin. The famed general was born in 247 B.C. in Carthage, now known as Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

Varietyreported on Monday that Tunisian Member of Parliament Yassine Mami spoke out on the matter.

“There is a risk of falsifying history: We need to take position on this subject."
“This is about defending Tunisian identity and listening to the reactions of civil society.”

Many people on social media agree with Mami that there is cause for concern over the historical inaccuracies.




Others, however, argue that Washington is the right man for the job and will do the role justice.





And a few were even split on the casting decision.


On the other side of the argument is the country's Minister of Cultural Affairs, Hayet Guettat Guermazi, who shared with French newspaper Le Monde that she hopes the film will bring positive attention to Tunisia.

“It’s fiction. It is [Netflix‘s] right to do what they want."
“Hannibal is a historical figure and we are all proud that he was Tunisian. But what can we do?"
"I hope they decide to shoot at least a sequence of the film here and that this is publicized."
"We want Tunisia to go back to being a location where foreign films are shot.”

Reps for Netflix have not yet responded to requests for comment.

More from Trending

Modern 'Conveniences' That Actually Make Life Harder

Making life simpler...

That is always the goal, right?

Keep ReadingShow less
Person holding cigarette
Luiz Rogério Nunes/Unsplash

One Night Stands That Turned Into A Total Nightmare

Ahh, the trials and tribulations of dating life.

On the one hand, it could be exciting and very promising. On the other hand, it could be a total disaster.

Keep ReadingShow less
Person's eyes glowing in the sunlight
Photo by Marina Vitale on Unsplash

People Who Clinically Died And Came Back To Life Share Their Experiences

We've all heard the questions about what happens when we die, whether there is life after death, and whether we really will walk through a tunnel of white light or not to get there.

But people who have had a near-death experience, in that they were declared clinically dead and were then resuscitated, might have the answers we're looking for, and their answers are quite peaceful.

Keep ReadingShow less
Owen Cooper; Elon Musk
Netflix; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

'Adolescence' Creator Claps Back After Musk Promotes Conspiracy That Hit Netflix Series Is 'Anti-White'

Jack Thorne, the co-creator of Netflix series Adolescence, is speaking out after far-right influencers and Elon Musk promoted a conspiracy theory about the series.

In four parts, the series focuses on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is accused of the grisly murder of a teen girl.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk and Donald Trump
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Trump And Musk Fact-Checked After Touting Voter ID In Wisconsin As A 'Big Win'

President Donald Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk were widely mocked and fact-checked after they both took to social media to champion a voter ID requirement being approved by Wisconsin voters even though the state has actually required voter ID since 2011.

The two men grasped for positive news after liberal judge Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, successfully beating her Republican opponent Brad Schimel and ensuring that the nonpartisan court's narrow 4-3 liberal majority remains intact despite Musk's efforts to sway the race.

Keep ReadingShow less