A word on the race debate in the casting of Isis
-
bigtomnva — 18 years ago(September 03, 2007 07:54 PM)
I totally agree that it doesn't matter what the race is of the actress that plays the part, since it is a teacher who finds the amulet and gains Isis' powers. Even if Egyptians are classified as black, does that mean their gods' complexions were the same as theirs? It is like arguing what nationality God is.
-
Synergi — 18 years ago(December 22, 2007 06:25 PM)
I think its important for the kids that will be watching it. Just as I grew up watching the original series, I was shocked some 20 years later to learn Egyptians were in fact not white. So I think for that reason at least, its worth casting correctly and not giving false impressions.
-
ghost_hat — 17 years ago(December 13, 2008 02:22 AM)
Saying that "casting correctly" requires an african actress is a misnomer.
As some folks pointed out, Isis is whoever wears the amulet, not the
original Egyptian in the flesh. So any race or appearance would be correct,
as long as they had the amulet. Technically speaking, Isis was the Greek
term for the godess in question, her actual original Egyptian name usually
being Aset or Eset. Her presentations in artwork was often lighter or
golden skinned. She usually appears with a throne or lunar circle with
horns on her head, very unlike the character in the show.
Eventually she was even given the head of a cow. What does this
all mean? The character in the show is really just a character,
far removed from the godess Isis or the original bearer of the necklace,
"HatShepSut". It may be noted that Hatshepsut was supposed to be the
daughter of a Pharoah, and depending on the timeline their bloodline
may well have been Macedonian.
What I think would be an interesting twist is if a man somehow got control of
the amulet. Would he turn into a woman?
Would it work at all? -
filmbuff1974 — 15 years ago(July 28, 2010 11:15 AM)
There seems to be a bit of friction regarding whether or not the part of Isis should be played by a black woman. I'm really not bothered if the part is played by anyone who is black, white, brown or whatever. Who cares? But if we are going by the TV series, Andrea Thomas (who i guess looked like a pretty tanned white woman) inherited the powers of Isis after finding the jewelry. It is Andrea's body that carries out these heroic deeds. Not Isis's. So regardless if the actual real Isis was black or not, it REALLY doesn't matter who plays the part. As long as it goes to a good actress who cares? On a personal note though, if they wanted to cast someone who looks like the original actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones would be perfect. She looks so much like her. dreamweaveruk
Good point. Perhaps both camps can be satisfied by having Andrea Thomas played by a white woman and then when she transforms, have the part of Isis played by a woman of color.
If you love and support Michael Jackson 100%, copy & paste this into your signature. We love MJ! -
filmbuff1974 — 15 years ago(September 17, 2010 04:42 AM)
by - ames0826 on Tue Sep 14 2010 14:39:04
Well, there's a young actress named Christel Khalil who currently works on The Young and the Restless. She's lovely, talented, and seems to represent every ethnic group on the planet.
Sounds good. I've noticed that some of the more recent documentaries on ancient Egypt have filmed dramatic recreations using actors/actresses who fit the description you have used to describe Christel Khalil. Perhaps a needed first step before the real life archaeologists come clean about disguising the true look of the ancient Egyptian peoples.
If you love and support Michael Jackson 100%, copy & paste this into your signature. We love MJ!