US actress Linda Fiorentino filed a response and cross-complaint yesterday in the Los Angeles Superior Court action brought against her by Art Oko Film, the German production company of abandoned film Till The End Of Time. Art Oko sued Fiorentino earlier this year claiming that she "held production of the picture hostage to her whims", refusing to report for rehearsals, makeup and camera tests and claiming illness even though an insurance doctor found that she was in good health.

The film was shut down on Aug 8, 2000. Art Oko is seeking over $5m in damages, alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and intentional interference with economic advantage. Fiorentino, famous for roles in The Last Seduction and Men In Black, was to play Georgia O'Keeffe in the project.

Fiorentino is now seeking damages for defamation, breach of contract, misappropriation of her right of publicity and false advertising. In a statement, she said: "The accusations made against me are abhorrent. My support and dedication to Till The End Of Time never wavered. I spent 16 months trying to get the film made." Her cross-complaint states that Art Oko was forced to shut down the original production in 1999 and failed to meet promised start dates in Jan and March 2000.