Just before the Oscars, “Those Who Remain” was accused of plagiarism

comedy Those who stay (French title of the film Retainers(He was nominated in five Oscar categories, and a British screenwriter accused him of plagiarism, according to Variety.)

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The accusations, revealed Saturday evening on the eve of the ceremony, cast doubt on Alexander Payne's film, one of the most serious contenders facing “Anatomy of a Fall” for the Oscar for best original screenplay.

Screenwriter Simon Stevenson, who was notably involved in writing the screenplay for the Pixar animated film Luca, wrote to the Writers Guild (WGA) in January to complain about plagiarism, according to documents published by Variety.

He accuses Z of taking basic plot elements from “Frisco,” a screenplay that was never made into a movie, and of copying certain scenes “line by line.”

The screenwriter claims to be able to prove his accusations, with a dossier consisting of “truly compelling” evidence.

Those who stay It tells the story of a pedantic and cantankerous professor, stuck on Christmas break with a rude student and a sad cook at an American boarding school in the 1970s.

Fresco The film revolves around a doctor who is fed up with existence and is forced to care for a young 15-year-old patient.

Alexander Payne and screenwriter Those who stayDavid Hemmingson declined to comment, according to Variety.

Mr. Hemingson is the only screenwriter credited Those who stay . But Mr. Payne has previously explained that he helped develop the script, and that it was inspired by a 1930s French film that was discovered at a festival several years ago.

“I am fully aware that people often have surprisingly similar ideas, and sometimes it is possible to borrow elements etc. That is not the case here,” Stevenson wrote to the WGA, according to Variety. “Both scenarios are identical from Legal and full of the same unique elements.” Mr. Stevenson points out, for example, similarities to a scene early in the film, in which the protagonist is reprimanded in his boss's office for wronging a politician.

in Those who stayThis moment comes because the professor has evaluated the US Senator's son poorly. in FrescoThe doctor calls the US congresswoman, the mother of a patient, an “idiot.”

Those who stay The film is up for five Oscars on Sunday: Best Picture, Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, Best Supporting Actress for Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.