A good example of what some star power and $$ can do for a concept. Its hard to say if certain topics are ownable – sometimes its just about who does it better. I can’t say for sure what I think until I’ve viewed both films, but you can’t really own the idea of “black hair” – so… we’ll see how this pans out.
From Straight from the “A”:
Chris Rock has just been hit with a $5 Million dollar lawsuit over his upcoming Good Hair documentary. According to TMZ, Regina Kimbell is accusing Rock of stealing his idea from her 2005 documentary, “My Nappy Roots” and says that she showed him her film back in 2007 on the set of his TV series, “Everybody Hates Chris”. She has since filed suit in U.S. District Court in downtown L.A., and seeks no less than $5 million dollars!
Kimbell’s documentary features celebs who discuss styles like the conk, the Afro, the Jheri curl and dreadlocks while Rock’s film also uses celebs to look at the efforts black women use to get that European look. Check out a snippet from Kimbell’s “My Nappy Hair” below and judge for yourself:
You know we Black women don’t play about our weaves or our dollars. Steal from us and it’s going DOWN! I dunno if this is merely a coincidence, but if Chris actually stole this idea he’s gonna have to cut a check quick. “Good Hair” is scheduled for release on Friday, October 9th and has created quite a nationwide buzz in screenings. Click Here for the “Good Hair” movie trailer.
To add to this mix of films on the topic, there’s also the Black Hair DVD series widely available on YouTube exploring the Korean ownership of the black hair-care business. :
Wow, just when you think sometime might good intentions with sharing materials….now there’s a chance of him stealing the whole idea! Come on, Chris!
It does look very similar. Chris seems to be have stolen her material and then put a comedic spin on it. My nappy roots appears to be more educational and enlightening than Good Hair anyways. Good Hair lacks focus and it’s very shabbily done. Chris Rock is just exploiting the whole “black hair debate” is you ask me. A big “H O SIT DOWN” TO Chris Rock.