'Who she is and where she belongs': Dakota Fanning responds to 'Sweetness in the Belly' backlash

"I do not play an Ethiopian woman": Dakota Fanning Clarifies Role Amidst 'Sweetness in the Belly' Controversy

Renowned Hollywood actress Dakota Fanning has found herself amidst a heated discussion regarding her latest film, 'Sweetness in the Belly.' The controversy, initially sparked by a clip from the movie, saw many critics accusing Hollywood of racially insensitive casting. Fanning, however, has taken to social media to address these concerns directly, as reported by Mashable.

The Deadline-published clip caused an uproar on social media, leading to a tweet ratio that strongly leaned towards comments over retweets. This response indicated the public's strong opposition to what they initially perceived as a casting misstep.

Fanning wasted no time in setting the record straight on Instagram, stating, "In the new film I'm a part of, Sweetness in the Belly, I do not play an Ethiopian woman. I play a British woman abandoned by her parents at seven years old in Africa and raised Muslim."

'Sweetness in the Belly' is adapted from a 2005 novel by Camilla Gibb. It narrates the story of a British girl, Lilly, who after the murder of her hippie parents, is raised at a Sufi shrine in Morocco and later migrates to Ethiopia.

In this emotionally charged drama, Fanning's character navigates her identity, religious upbringing, and societal expectations in Ethiopia. Yet, even swathed in a traditional headscarf, Lilly cannot escape being marked as a foreigner. An eventual forced exodus leads her to England, where she is again confronted with the riddle of her identity and her sense of belonging.

Following Fanning's explanation, some social media users have called for Deadline to apologize for their "misleading headline," which has since been updated. However, despite the clarification, some critics remain displeased with the concept of the movie.

'Sweetness in the Belly' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 7, and the debate continues to linger. Whether the controversy will impact the movie's reception is yet to be seen.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)