Kim Novak, the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller ‘Vertigo,’ is claiming the acclaimed new silent film ‘The Artist’ violated her work, E! Online is reporting. In an interview with Variety, the actress started her interview saying “I want to report a rape. I feel as if my body-or, at least my body of work-has been violated by…’The Artist.’”

Novak added that the leading Academy Award contender “could and should have been able to stand on its own without depending upon Bernard Hermann’s score for ‘Vertigo’ to provide it more drama.” The actress added that she felt the combined efforts of Hermann, Hitchcock, co-star Jimmy Stewart and herself were all violated.

“It is morally wrong for the artistry of our industry to use and abuse famous pieces of work to gain attention and applause for other than what they were intended,” Novak also said. “It is essential to safeguard our special bodies of work for posterity, with their original and individual identities intact and protecting.” She continued by saying that even though Hermann received a small credit at the end of ‘The Artist,’ “I believe this kind of filmmaking trick to be cheating.”

‘The Artist’s director, Michel Hazanavicius, responded to Novak’s claim, saying the romance movie “was made ass a love letter to cinema, and grew out of my admiration and respect for movies throughout history. It was inspired by the work of Hitchcock…I love (Bernard) Hermann and his music has been used in my different films and I’m very pleased to have it in mine.” The filmmaker added he respects Novak, and he’s sorry she disagrees with his movie.

Written by: Karen Benardello