Guillermo del Toro's now had to face off a number of accusations of plagiarism for The Shape Of Water, and the latest is coming from French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Audiences here well recognise Jeunet from the crossover hit from 2001, Amelie, with Audrey Tautou and Matthieu Kassovitz. Jeunet also directed the less-said-about Alien Resurrection with Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder, however the film he accuses del Toro of plagiarising is his first film co-directed with Marc Caro, Delicatessen.
In an interview with French magazine Ouset-France, Jeunet says that a particular scene in The Shape Of Water with Richard Jenkins and Sally Hawkins is lifted straight from Delicatessen. "When he (directs) the scene of the couple sitting on the edge of the bed dancing with their feet, with the musical in the background on TV, it is so copied and pasted (from) Delicatessen that there is a moment when I say to myself that he lacks self-respect," said Jeunet.
According to Jeunet, he confronted del Toro about the scene, however the Oscar-nominated director claimed that "he does not steal from others, it is Terry Gilliam who has influenced us all."
Here's the scene from Delicatessen...
And here's the scene from The Shape Of Water that Jeunet claims was copied from his film.
So, over to you. Was it a lift from Delicatessen or is it merely just similar? Let us know what you think in the comments.
