French Firm Sues Miramax

A French media company sued Miramax Films Corp. on Tuesday for $8 million it claims the U.S. company failed to pay as an advance for the rights to an award-winning movie it produced.

Hachette Premiere & Cie, in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, is also seeking to have Miramax barred from distributing the film, “She’s So Lovely,” in the United States.

A spokesman for Miramax was not immediately available for comment.

In the lawsuit, Hachette claims it came to an agreement with Miramax in which the U.S. company, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Co., would pay $12 million for the American and European distribution rights to the film, which was originally titled “She’s De Lovely.” Hachette alleges that Miramax has “failed and refused to pay” an initial advance of $8 million.

The company said it believes that Miramax intends to release the film late this month and in early September in the United States and Europe before making the advance payment, which Hachette said would be a violation of the agreement.

The film, which won the top award for technical achievement at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, was directed by Nick Cassavetes, son of the late actor and director John Cassavetes.