The Shameless Gentrification of Legendary Nina Simone

Watch Nina Simone Perform "Four Women"

Apparently, amateur director Cynthia Mort, a Latin American doesn't think that an African American woman  is good enough to play African American musician/activist Nina Simone, nor does Ms. Mort think it's necessary to conduct due diligence and depict a factual account of Nina Simone's life.

So what does Cynthia Mort do? She hires a fellow Latina, Zoe Saldana, a talented actress who is considered to be an Afro-latina but looks nothing like Ms. Simone and isn't African American.  So, Ms. Mort attempts to darken Zoe's skin, adding a fake wide nose and an insulting afro wig that looks more like a giant Brillo pad; she falsely depicts Ms. Simone's homosexual personal assistant, Clifton Henderson as being her heterosexual lover; she doesn't consult with Ms. Simone's family at all and most importantly she disrespects and ignores Ms. Simone's philosophy and activism for Black Pride and the Civil Rights Movement.

Cynthia Mort chalks it up to her so-called "artistic license." Well, the African American community may chalk it up to a boycott of this inaccurate Nina Simone biopic.

Zoe Saldana

Aaron Overfield the content director for Nina Simone's website penned "An Open Letter To Anyone Who Cares About Nina Simone"  addressing the issues with Zoe Saldana and Cynthia Mort's false depiction of Ms. Simone.

Here it is: 

I’m writing this letter to anyone who cares about Nina Simone: her legacy, her artistry, her spirit, her genius, her music, her activism, everything. If you care at all about Nina Simone — even if you’ve only heard a few of her songs — then this letter is for you. If you’re here reading this, it’s for you. 

I won’t waste time writing to Cynthia Mort or Zoe Saldana and releasing the words out into the public sphere for the chance they might cross paths, because even if that were the case the words would mean nothing to them. What they are creating proves those words would mean nothing, so why waste my breath (or finger taps)? They will not listen. 

The issues surrounding this unauthorized film depicting Nina Simone, which we might as well call a biopic since they are naming the thing Nina, are complex, multilayered, and multifaceted. The discussions of the issues are as complex as they are controversial; however, they are important conversations to have and keep having. The most frustrating people are the ones who imply everyone should just shut up and “wait and see” or “leave them alone.” That kind of attitude and oppression is not in the spirit of Nina Simone whatsoever. Quite the opposite. Nina was vocal, defiant, a warrior, an activist. She would not have simply shut up and sat down. She would’ve shown up at the studio with a shotgun to speak with Ms. Mort and slapped the makeup off Zoe. So let’s get that straight first. We’re going to talk about this and those of us with strong, impassioned opinions are going to express them. 

We will not be silent simply because it annoys those who aren’t in agreement. 

Zoe’s complexion (the level of her “blackness”) has taken the forefront in the discussion. Her complexion as well as her phenotype/features. We’re going to have to address this since obviously it is dominating the outcry against this project, understandably so. However, I believe this issue is a byproduct of the much, much larger issue: the total gentrification of Nina Simone. This occurred at the inception of this film so it’s no wonder the script and casting have come to symbolize the total fictionalization of Nina as a person and as an artist. 

The script, written by Latin American writer and first time director Cynthia Mort, is based in a series of lies. That is our starting point. Cynthia calls this her “artistic license.” Under that umbrella what Cynthia is implying is that she can pretty much do whatever the hell she wants and she doesn’t have to listen to anyone. Cynthia has focused her story on Nina’s relationship with her personal assistant, Clifton Henderson, himself a controversial person in Nina’s life. Well before Nina’s death, before talks about a movie, there were issues expressed about Clifton’s intentions regarding Nina and his efforts to seemingly keep her isolated. He was around Nina for the last few years of her life. He can be seen with her in a filming of Nina’s concert in Brazil in 2000, during shots of Nina being interviewed in a boat (http://vimeo.com/ninasimone/livebrazil). 

After Nina’s death, Clifton sold his story to Cynthia and that became the basis for the movie. So, a (controversial) personal assistant’s relationship with Nina Simone for the very last few years of her life somehow became the focal point of the first ever Nina Simone movie. Moreover, that controversial relationship became fictionalized by Cynthia Mort by her writing the relationship as a romantic one (putting Nina in the role as sexual aggressor and as emotionally needy). 

Mellody Hobson Appointed as Chairman of DreamWorks Animation

Mellody Hobson &  George Lucas

Financial guru, Mellody Hobson, is replacing Roger Enrico as Chairman of DreamWorks Animation. Hobson, 43, has been highlighted several times on Society Noir for her illustrious achievements. The Princeton graduate is president of Ariel Investments a Chicago-based African-American owned firm which manages more than $3 billion in assets, and chairwoman of Ariel Mutual Funds.  The beautiful MidWestern brainiac is also a  financial contributor on the popular television show Good Morning America.  In addition,  she’s also a director of Estee Lauder, Starbucks, and Groupon, and sits on the boards of the Sundance Institute, Chicago’s Field Museum, and the Chicago Public Education Fund.

Hobson, whose been romantically linked to world-renowned filmmaker George Lucas since 2006, brings an interesting dynamic to DreamWorks Animation.  Bucking the status quo in the male, non-black dominated world of Hollywood it will be more than interesting to see the influence Ms. Hobson will yield.  

To say the least, Ms. Hobson's appointment as Chairman to DreamWorks Animation is certainly a welcomed departure.

Read our past coverage of Mellody Hobson here and here.

Feedback From Nina Simone's Daughter Regarding Controversial Biopic

With the growing controversy regarding the upcoming Nina Simone biopic, Ms. Simone's daughter, Simone gives her feedback, penning an open letter on her mother's website.

Here you go:

Simone responds to casting of Zoe Saldana in biopic

Greetings Nina Simone Lovers, Simone here.

I have read many of the comments am happy you all took the time to share your thoughts and feelings.

Here’s mine:

When the announcement initially hit the press with MJ Blige cast as Nina (about 6 yrs ago) I heard it along with everyone else. The story was written as a love story between my mother and her former nurse, Clifton Henderson and primarily takes place during the last 8 years of her life.

Please note, this project is unauthorized. The Nina Simone Estate was never asked permission nor invited to participate.

I have seen many names regarding who you think should play the role of Nina. Remember Angela Bassett as Tina Turner? SHE NAILED IT! Angela Bassett is an ACTRESS! And, we all know she lip synced along with Tina and did an amazing job. Personally, I prefer an actress to a singer. Just because a person is great at one does not mean they will be great at the other. If written, funded and CAST PROPERLY a movie about my mother will make an lasting imprint.

My vision of a movie about my mother includes SO many pivotal moments that are monumentally important towards relaying the journey of a woman whose journey began as a child prodigy born in North Carolina in the 1930′s…too many to list here but, trust when I say the tale will inspire through the sheer sharing of HOW Eunice Waymon became Nina Simone, The High Priestess Of Soul renowned worldwide. How many of you know my mother’s FIRST love was classical music? Do you know the hours she practiced preparing to audition for the Curtis Institute of Music only to be rejected because of the color of her skin?

**After my mother made her transition I accepted a diploma from that very same institute with a speech she began writing but was unable to finish prior to her death.**

As a child, my mother was told her nose was too big and she was too dark yet she graduated valedictorian of her high school class – The Allen School for Girls – AND, skipped two grades. Nina was one of the most outspoken, prolifically gifted artists using the stage to speak out against racism during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960′s. Her friends included Betty Shabazz, Lorraine Hansberry (my godmother), Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Miriam Makeba, Stokely Carmichael, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens worldwide.

Had she become a classical pianist, which was her dream….shattered, I doubt she would have found her true destiny. Nina Simone was a voice for her people and she spoke out HONESTLY, sang to us FROM HER SOUL, shared her joy, pain, anger and intelligence poetically in a style all her own.

My mother stood up for justice, by any means necessary hahahaha YES, she was a revolutionary til the day she died. From Tragedy to Transcendence – MY VISION. The whole arc of her life which is inspirational, educational, entertaining and downright shocking at times is what needs to be told THE RIGHT WAY.

By the way:

Clifton Henderson was gay. He was not attracted to women. So, the truth is…Nina Simone and Clifton Henderson NEVER had a relationship other than a business one.

Please correct me, but isn’t a biopic the story of one’s life?

I have faith things will work out the right way and my mother’s real story will be told. For all she endured while here and all of the lives she has touched, she DESERVES to be remembered for who she truly was; not some made up love story from a former nurse/manager (now deceased) who sold his life rights because of his relationship to Nina Simone.

Ciao Y’All….Simone