Denzel Washington’s casting as Hannibal in Netflix film sparks race controversy in Tunisia

Newspapers and politicians discuss general’s skin tone saying actor’s casting in the role created ‘a historical error’

A decision to cast black actor Denzel Washington as the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in an upcoming Netflix film has sparked a small but heated debate in Tunisia, home to the military general’s birthplace.

After a similar controversy on race and representation in nearby Egypt over a Netflix docudrama on Cleopatra, Tunisian newspapers, social media and even the halls of parliament have seen discussion on the skin tone of the long-dead leader.