The release of Chris Rock’s new documentary, Good Hair, was threatened by legal action.
The actor/ comedian was accused of stealing the idea for the documentary, from a fellow filmmaker, Regina Kimbell.
Kimbell filed suit in Los Angeles and accused Rock, and the film’s producers, of stealing the idea for a documentary about African American hair and all its tribulations. She claimed the idea came from a film she put together several years ago, called My Nappy Roots, which she says she screened for Rock in 2007. Despite the claim, a federal judge has refused to block the movie’s release, saying the films were not sufficiently similar.
To be fair this is a fairly generic idea, and I’ve seen any number of specials on it already. Also a portion of CNN’s Black in America had a section on hair types, which covered this material. Not sure what’s going on with people’s ego here, but I should imagine this concept is nothing to wet one’s panties over.
Good Hair has been on limited release and will be available nationwide from Oct. 23, 2009. Kimbell says she will continue to persue the case.
You can click under the cut to watch the CNN Black in America hair care video.
CNN Black In America’s own version of the Black hair discussion from last year.
Image credit to Flynet Pictures. Story & info. The HuffPo. and NY Daily News.
good for them! yeah, ti does sound familiar, but then, is there anything that’s orignal nowadays?
Agreed – nothing is really original (at least it doesn’t feel it), but it was a good excuse to watch Black in America again, that was actually a great watch.