In addition to numerous allegations of mismanagement and dubious bookkeeping, Alan Elliott, the producer of the 2018 Aretha Franklin documentary Amazing Grace, is suing Neon for allegedly purchasing the film’s distribution rights unlawfully.
Elliott says in the New York Supreme Court lawsuit that Neon and its CEO, Tom Quinn, started “with a false and premature press statement that Neon had already obtained those rights when in reality it had not,” according to Pitchfork. Elliott and Neon’s agents have been approached by Pitchfork for comment.
Elliott asserts that Neon allegedly restricted the film’s release after the business “strong-armed” Amazing Grace into signing a distribution agreement.
In order to prevent paying bonus payments to Plaintiff and the picture’s creators, Neon “resorted to good old ‘Hollywood bookkeeping’ and continues to cripple the distribution of the Picture,” according to the lawsuit.
Alan Elliott claims Neon “abandoned any attempt to promote the Picture’s awards run” in other parts of his lawsuit.
The recording of the singer’s 1972 album of the same name took place over the course of two days in the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, as seen in the documentary Amazing Grace.
Her supporting vocal ensemble was the Southern California Community Choir, and James Cleveland was in charge of the entire band.
Due to technological issues and Franklin’s displeasure with the original content, the movie has been put on hold for more than 40 years.
