Why is Netflix facing backlash over biblical film ‘Mary’?

Netizens are up in arms about Netflix’s upcoming biblical film “Mary”, as the popular streaming giant has released the trailer for the movie depicting the life of the mother of Jesus. 

The movie drew online backlash, with critics slamming the lack of Arab and Palestinian representation especially casting white European and Israeli performers in key roles.

Scheduled for release on December 6, the film stars Israeli actress and yoga instructor Noa Cohen as Mary. The movie is based on the birth of Jesus (PBUH), Mary’s ordeal as an unwed mother, and King Herod’s ruthless action in pursuit of the family amid perceived threats to his rule.

The cast, as per IMDb, includes several Israeli actors like Ido Tako, who will play the role of Joseph, Ori Pfeffer, Mili Avital, Keren Tzur, and Hilla Vidor. Moreover, Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins is set to portray King Herod.

Since the release of the trailer, netizens specifically, Muslims and Christians, have called for the Netflix boycott, deeming the casting of Israeli actors as erasure of Palestinian heritage amid ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“Netflix thought it was a good idea to cast an Israeli as Mother Mary, as if Israelis aren’t bombing the homeland of Jesus and targeting its churches,” one user wrote.

Another said, “The entire main cast is white Europeans, except for one biracial actor.”

“Any Christian who supports this film is stupid and delusional,” another user added.

Others termed casting of Israeli actors as offensive given the destruction of Christian heritage sites in Gaza and the targeting of Palestinian Christians.

“There is something profoundly offensive about having an Israeli actor play Mary, the mother of Jesus, while Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, killing some of the oldest Christian communities in the world and erasing their heritage sites,” another said.

“”Israel has destroyed 3 churches in Gaza over the past year, and ki!!ed at least 3% of Gaza’s Christian population meanwhile the director of this film believed the main cast including the lead role of Mary should be “Israeli” to “ensure authenticity,”” one user wrote.

It is worth mentioning that the latest controversy came on the heels of another incident when Netflix faced accusations of anti-Palestinian bias after removing a collection of Palestinian films. However, Netflix said that the contents were removed due to the expiration of a three-year licensing agreement.