Netflix Canada’s decision to remove the series’ second episode Caleb’s Daughters “is a lack of respect for the story, for the author, for the series itself”, according to its main male interpreter, Roy Dupuis.
Posted yesterday at 11:40 a.m.
The historic series directed by the late Jean Beaudin, broadcast on the online broadcasting platform until January, was cut from its second episode “due to the blackface “, has simply argued Netflix Canada.
In this episode, the character of Ovila, played by Roy Dupuis, takes part in a Christmas show on the Nativity. He dons the costume of the black mage king, Balthazar. He paints his face black.
This is what made Netflix Canada react, which withdrew the episode in its entirety. Without explanations.
It’s a bit exaggerated. The series takes place in Saint-Tite, in the 19the century, there were no blacks at that time, so to tell the story of the Magi, that’s what we did. It is a mistake to want to erase history. I understand that it may offend people, but there are limits.
Roy Dupuis
The fact that the episode is simply withdrawn also makes a “hole in the story”, laments the comedian. “ Caleb’s Daughters is a novel, a story, so there’s definitely a hole there. They opted for the easiest solution. »
HERE Tou.tv Extra, which also broadcasts Caleb’s Daughters since September 28, has kept this famous second episode, but accompanied it with the following message: “This program is offered as it was originally created and may contain different social and cultural representations of today. »
“When we rebroadcast a period series, we believe that the original work must be fully respected,” simply indicated Marc Pichette, Senior Director, Promotion and Public Relations at Radio-Canada, in an email sent to The Press.
“History does not happen today”
If the series were to be shot again today, Roy Dupuis, who co-starred with Marina Orsini (Émilie Bordeleau in the series), would play it the same way as in 1990.
“History does not happen today, it happens in the 19th century.e century ! exclaims the actor. If we staged the Nativity today, I suppose we would call on a black actor to do it, but at the time there were no blacks in Saint-Tite, so out of respect for the In the Bible story, all the characters were depicted, including the black wise man. So today we would do the same. »
Producer Attraction Images didn’t want to get wet, leaving broadcasters free to do whatever they want.
“Attraction is very proud to distribute the series on all platforms Caleb’s Daughters, a true masterpiece of Quebec culture, replied its president Richard Speer by email. Of course, the series was produced over 30 years ago and tells a story from another era. That said, how to deal with today’s sensitivities in the face of a series created decades ago is up to each broadcaster and we respect the decision. [de chacun]. »