One could debate whether the “Twilight” movie franchise makes for good cinema. But racist and sexually depraved?
According to a new lawsuit, it is so.
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A complaint filed by Between the Lines Productions — makers of the “Twilight” parody film “TwiHarder” — claim that the vampire movie series is rife with racism and perversion.
In the suit, filed against Lionsgate Entertainment and Summit Entertainment on Monday, Between the Lines alleges that the films perpetuate racial stereotypes — specifically, “one-dimensional stereotypes about Native Americans and indigenous culture through the depiction of the character Jacob Black as a ‘noble savage,’ ‘bloodthirsty warrior’ and ‘sexual predator.’”
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The complaint also claims that the movies place a “heavy emphasis” on “socio-political hierarchy and economic power based on the color of skin rather than the contents of his or her character or accomplishments.”
As for the perversion, the lawsuit points out that the “Twilight” films center “around the lustful and eventual sexual relationship between a 17-year-old girl, Bella Swan, and a male character, Edward Cullen, who is nearly 100 years her senior.”
Oh, and the complaint claims that the “Twilight” flicks also depict domestic violence.
It’s unclear why the plaintiffs point all of this out, but Between the Lines is suing Lionsgate and Summit because, the company claims, they attempted to scuttle their parody film “TwiHarder” with a baseless cease-and-desist order and legal threats.
A spokesperson for Summit and Lionsgate has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Between the Lines had previously sued Lionsgate and Summit, seeking $500 million for the alleged sabotage of “TwiHarder.” That suit was voluntarily dismissed on the same day that the current complaint was filed.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.