Chris Rock takes a humorous look at an African-American obsession in the documentary Good Hair. (TIFF)An independent filmmaker is suing comedian Chris Rock, alleging he stole her idea for his documentary, Good Hair.
Rock said he was inspired by a question from his daughter to make Good Hair, a funny take on black hair that screened at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
But Regina Kimbell has filed a $5-million copyright suit in Los Angeles, charging he stole the idea from her film, My Nappy Roots.
Kimbell said she screened the film for Rock back in 2007 on the set of Everyone Hates Chris.
Like Good Hair, My Nappy Roots traces the business and cultural history of black hair care and interviews celebrities about their hair stories.
It has been shown at colleges and film festivals since its completion in 2006.
Rock's publicist declined to comment.
Good Hair will be released commercially in North America on Friday.
Rock is to star in Will You Be My Black Friend?, a comedy about a white guy looking for a black friend, to be produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films.
With files from The Associated Press
