An independent filmmaker who premiered her film at Sundance is alleging that a recent Nike advertisement directed by Malia Obama, 26, is 'shockingly similar' to her work.
Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, shared stills from her film, Grace, alongside shots from Malia's Nike commercial featuring A'ja Wilson that depicted similar images of black girls playing the game pat-a-cake on a stoop.
'Been sitting with this for a while. My Sundance short film Grace (shot brilliantly by Tehillah de Castro) was made with deep love and care,' Natalie wrote in the caption.
'The social cut of the new @Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama (who was also at Sundance my year) feels shockingly similar to my work…'
Natalie went on to say that even though art often overlaps, 'moments like this hit hard when you’ve poured your heart into telling stories with care and barely get the recognition you deserve.
