`Nina’ distributor: Casting complaints show slavery’s impact

New Pittsburgh Courier: The distributor of the forthcoming film about Nina Simone says complaints about Zoe Saldana playing the singer reflect an interracial “pathology” established by slave owners.

“It’s a tragic past that still exists today,” said Robert L. Johnson, head of the studio releasing “Nina” next month.

Producers have been criticized since Saldana was cast in 2012 for choosing an actress who needed extensive makeup and prosthetics to achieve Simone’s dark skin and traditionally African features.