Whitewashing Wuthering Heights

Are you aware of the long history of whitewashing in film adaptations of Gothic novels? • Nadira Begum will investigate the trend of directors refusing to engage with the racial politics of these novels, using Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights as a prime example. • The erasure of non-white characters in other Gothic literature adaptations, such as Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled, will be explored, highlighting its impact on the historical context and meaning of the stories. • The upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights by Emerald Fennell will also be discussed, with criticism of its casting choices and potential for a twist in the traditional narrative.

The event will take place on Friday, 6 November 2026, at the Curzon Canterbury Westgate in Canterbury. Tickets are with the button beside the article. This is a unique opportunity to delve into the important issue of representation in film and literature, and to consider the implications of whitewashing on our understanding of classic stories like Wuthering Heights.