TF1 Droits Audiovisuels, TF1’s movie and TV rights affiliate, has been ordered by a French court to pay €32 million for failing to distribute properly Spike Lee’s film Miracle at Santa Anna.

The film is adapted from co-writer James McBride’s novel and the Paris Court has considered TF1 DA did not respect its overall engagement.

In 2007, TF1 DA, formerly TF1 International picked up the worldwide rights to the exception of Canada, Italy and the US where the movie was released with poor results in September 2008. The distribution company then poured €11 million to US producer On My Own.

But one year later, while the film is being wrapped up, TF1 International suspended the international distribution, arguing that the movie did “not conform to the approved script.” It even sought the termination of the distribution deal.

On the international market, Spike Lee’s film was finally released in Rome and Toronto only.

The €32 million fine breaks down into €23 million to the producers and director, and €11 million to the film’s banker BNP Paribas.

TF1 DA asserts in a statement that it “plans to appeal the decision… and the level of damages required which manifestly appear disproportionate compared to the film’s performance, mostly in the US market.”