Multiple families of Chinese women forced into sex slavery during World War II are now seeking compensation for a successful documentary on the subject, despite the fact that their relatives had no involvement in the film.

The families have claimed that Guo Ke, the director of “Twenty-Two,” should provide them with payment because “there would be no such subject matter without the effort” of so-called comfort women in general, according to a report Tuesday by domestic outlet Red Star News. Guo reportedly dismissed the request because neither the families nor their comfort women relatives, who had already died prior to the film’s production, contributed to the project.

“Twenty-Two” achieved critical and commercial success following its 2017 release in mainland theaters, becoming the first Chinese documentary to rake in more than 100 million yuan (then $14.8 million) at the domestic box office. In 2018, Guo and thousands of crowdfunders raised over 10 million yuan to support survivors, their families, and research on the subject. (Image: Douban)