Follow Us
  HARKINS HOUSE PRODUCTIONS
  • Home
  • News
  • Blog
  • Productions
    • Theatre Imprints
  • Services
  • Partners
  • Auditions

#BeautifulPeople: Nina Simone

7/21/2015

1 Comment

 
A few years ago, news broke that a film about Nina Simone was in the works, promptly titled Nina. For many of us who are fans of this dynamic goddess of a woman, we were thrilled...until we learned that Zoe Saldana was selected to portray the Empress of Soul.  Fans on social media, specifically #BlackTwitter, being the force that it is, rebuked the casting and even suggested much better choices to portray Nina.   The filmmakers didn't get permission from Nina Simone's estate to do the film as Nina's daughter, Lisa, took to Facebook to address this point specifically.  As a matter of fact, given Nina's legacy, she probably would've had an issue with Zoe portraying her as well. Of course, we can't know for sure.  The film is still scheduled to be released later this year, and apparently, Zoe had to come to terms with the poor casting decision as well, after initially being very disappointed behind the backlash. 

To some extent, the making of this film can be credited for spurring a renewed interest in Nina Simone, thus introducing a new generation to this woman's body of work and activism.  In June, Netflix released a phenomenal documentary about the singer & activist's life, What's Happening, Miss Simone?, featuring her daughter, so we know for certain that Nina Simone's estate cleared this one. The rare footage and the integration of interviews gives the effect of Nina narrating her own story, which is illuminating, powerful, and equally sad.  We picked the most definitive quote from the documentary to adequately summarize Nina's life. It was spoken by the oldest daughter of Malcolm X: 

          "Nina Simone was a free spirit in an era that didn't really appreciate a woman's genius."


We've selected a couple of many incredible performances to post here in celebration of Nina Simone. May her spirit soar high and we hope she is pleased with the adoration that we continue to give her. 

  
1 Comment
Stacy M link
12/2/2020 09:54:43 pm

Thanks for this

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About

    The InkWell offers informative pieces regarding all aspects of African American culture. For thought provoking content that fuses Black theatre, literature, music, popular culture, and social issues, look no further. Be sure to check back often for new entries and, by all means, don't be afraid to hit up the comments section. We want to interact with you!

    Archives

    July 2015
    June 2015
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    African Americans
    Amiri Baraka
    Art
    Artists
    Black Arts
    Black Culture
    Charenee Wade
    Harold Cruse
    Horace Silver
    Jazz
    Maya Angelou
    Nelson Mandela
    Nina Simone
    Ruby Dee
    Zoe Saldana

    RSS Feed

Picture

Copyright 2017-2020 Harkins House Productions
Questions?  Contact Us:  Call (901) 303-8836 or Email: producer@harkinshouse.net
Instagram: @HarkinsHouse