Malia Obama Nike Ad Plagiarism: Malia Obama’s first Nike ad in suspicion of burglary, critics say it’s shocking with the original work of independent filmmakers
Independent film producer Natalie Jasmine Harris claims Obama’s Nike uses Sundance’s main images of a short grace period screened, questioning credibility, originality and recruitment practices for big brands.
According to the New York Post, the former president’s daughter, Malia Obama, is accused of stealing work from an independent filmmaker released earlier this month, which was released earlier this month.
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Which scenes look similar?
Natalie Jasmine Harris claims that part of Obama’s One Minute ad is “shockingly similar” to her own 2024 short film.
The scene involves two young black girls playing a game called Pat-a-Cake. According to a report from the New York Post, Harris believes there are many technical similarities between the lens, frame architecture, color scheme and camera.
How do Natalie Jasmine Harris say about the shocking similarity?
“It’s not about the game,” Natalie Jasmine Harris told Business Insider, which has something to do with the cinematic technology used to portray it. She said it was devastating, as well as a side-by-side comparison of the images.
“I know art often overlaps, but moments like this, when you tell stories with all your heart and care and get almost no recognition you deserve,” she wrote on X.
What does this comment on the “Nepo” culture in the movie?
Harris claims her frustration is in the industry, not in Malia Obama. She accused the industry of its preference for ignoring independent creators and favoring famous names.
This highlights a broader problem, she said, that the brand chooses people with a given name instead of independent artists, which does not lead to creative films or unique narratives.
The two met at last year’s Sundance Film Festival when Harris showed up for 14 minutes of “Grace”.
FAQ
What is Natalie Jasmine Harris talking about?
She compared Pat-a’s scene with her short film Grace, citing similar lens compositions, camera action and tones.
Is Malia Obama or Nike facing legal action?
So far, Natalie Jasmine Harris has not filed a lawsuit. She blames industry goalkeepers for frustration, who prioritize celebrities over originality.
