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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Landlord Says Film Depicts It as ‘Drug Haven’

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (CN) - The owner of a Michigan apartment complex has asked a judge to block the release of a move that makes it look bad.

Oakview Apartments LLC, the owner of a residential building on Burke Street in Grand Rapids, Mich., asked the Kent County Circuit to issue a restraining order against the Feb. 27 premier of the film "Grands Rule."

Michael Styles Films LLC filmed the R-rated movie on Oakview's private property without permission, and depicts it "as a haven for drug dealers, criminals, violence, and sex," the complaint states.

Grand Rapids Cable Access Center dba Wealthy Theatre has allegedly advised Oakview that more than 1000 tickets have already been sold.

That theater appears as a defendant to the Feb. 16 action, as does Michael Styles Films and film promoter Anthony Williams.

Noting that it "has gone to great lengths and expended resources to improve Oakview Apartments as a quality residential community," Oakview says it will suffer irreparable harm if the movie is shown.

The trespass and the unauthorized and wrongful use of the plaintiff's private property ... depicts Oakview Apartmnets as a haven for drugs, guns, violence and sex," the complaint states.

Oakview notes that the trailer, which is available on YouTube, "has been exhibited in movie houses in the Grand Rapids area."

It provided the court with a screen shot of the movie's Facebook page, and screen shots from the trailer that it says "clearly show Oakview Apartment private property was the filming location for all or part of the film."

Oakview says that it never gave permission and was never asked for permission to film on its private property.

Ronald Vander Veen, of Cunningham Dalman PC, represents the property owner, which wants the film blocked pending a court hearing, unless the defendants remove all scenes filmed on Oakview property.

Courthouse News has reached out to the defendants through the movie's Facebook page for comment, but has not heard back at press time.

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