Renowned director M. Night Shyamalan finds himself in a legal predicament over claims that he copied an indie film to create the Apple TV+ series “Servant.” The accusation suggests potential copyright infringement.
On Tuesday, M. Night Shyamalan stood trial as director Francesca Gregorini filed a lawsuit against him and the studio for $81 million USD, claiming that key elements from her 2013 independent film “The Truth About Emanuel” were copied. Gregorini’s lawyer, Patrick Arenz, presented clips of both projects to the jury in his opening statement, asserting that they share a similar narrative where they portray “a mother suffering from delusions who cares for a doll as if it were a real baby, and a nanny who participates in the deception.” Arenz told the court, “This case is straightforward. ‘The Servant’ would not exist without ‘Emanuel.’
In January 2020, Gregorini filed a lawsuit against the studio when the series premiered, but this case was dismissed later on. However, it was reinstated by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022. Judge Sunshine Sykes declined Apple’s request for summary judgment in November, directing that the lawsuit proceed to trial. Reports suggest that Shyamalan will testify along with the show’s creators during the trial.
M. Night Shyamalan’s lawyer, Brittany Amadi, contended that the two projects in question are fundamentally distinct, particularly in their genres. She explained that “Servant” falls under the category of supernatural thriller, while “Emanuel” is a heartfelt tale about personal growth and self-discovery, often referred to as an emotional coming-of-age drama.
Amadi further pointed out that Shyamalan’s upbringing was devoid of any connections within the entertainment industry. On the other hand, she mentioned that Gregorini has family ties with an “Italian count,” and her mother was a Bond girl, while her stepfather is Ringo Starr.
Additionally, Amadi highlighted that part of the financing for the film came from “a German princess,” Tatiana von Fürstenberg. The trial is anticipated to last for approximately two weeks.
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2025-01-15 09:55