The heirs of Italian fashion house Gucci have criticised Ridley Scott's new film House of Gucci for allegedly depicting family members as "hooligans".
The movie stars Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, who was jailed for having her former husband, fashion heir Maurizio Gucci, assassinated in 1995.
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In a strongly worded letter to Italy's ANSA news agency, the family say they have been portrayed as "ignorant and insensitive", reports the BBC.
The movie also stars Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, with Jared Leto as Paulo Gucci and Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci.
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In the letter, the family say, "The Gucci family reserve the right to take every initiative to protect their name and image, and those of their loved ones."
They also say that Aldo, who was company chairman from 1953 to 1986, and other family members were portrayed "as thugs, ignorant and insensitive to the world around them, attributing to the protagonists [and] events, a tone and an attitude that never belonged to them.
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"This is extremely painful from a human point of view and an insult to the legacy on which the brand is built today."
The family took particular issue with Gaga’s portrayal of Reggiani, saying she "is portrayed not just in the film, but also in statements from cast members, as a victim trying to survive in a male and male chauvinist corporate culture".
"This couldn't be further from the truth," the statement added.
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No legal action is currently being taken by the family against the film and its producers.
The BBC reports that Ridley Scott has been contacted for comment.
He has previously dismissed criticism from the Gucci family of the movie, telling the Today show BBC Radio Four, "You have to remember that one Gucci was murdered and another [Aldo] went to jail for tax evasion, so you can't be talking to me about making a profit. As soon as you do that you become part of the public domain."
