Israeli movie star Gal Gadot said she is “passionate” about playing the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, in the new film that she is co-producing, in response to criticism that an Arab or African actress should be used. Gadot told BBC Arabic’s Sam Asi that Cleopatra was Macedonian, and that they did not find a Macedonian actress who could carry the role.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
“I have friends from across the globe, whether they’re Muslims or Christian or Catholic or atheist or Buddhist, or Jewish of course… People are people, and with me I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honor this amazing historic icon that I admire so much,” she said.
Cleopatra was the last ruler in the 300-year Ptolemy dynasty, a descendant of Alexander the Great’s Macedonian general. The film will be directed by “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins.