Nina Simone defied genre, new films may inspire exploration
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming so closely on the heels of the Oscar-nominated documentary "What Happened, Miss Simone?" the controversial new Nina Simone biopic is bringing the artist's life and struggles back into public consciousness.
Simone fans railed when Zoe Saldana was cast as the singer, saying the actress' slight frame and lighter skin made her a poor choice to play a woman who celebrated her dark complexion and African features.
"[...] of what the response to the movie is, it's gotten a debate about Nina and about representation of black women and about a lot of things she dealt with and struggled with back into newspapers," said Alan Light, author of the 2016 biography, "What Happened, Miss Simone?" which was inspired by the documentary.
[...] it certainly will contribute to more visibility and conversation around Nina.
The film begins when Simone has already exiled herself to Europe out of frustration with racial politics in the music industry and American society.