Woody Allen has taken centre stage in his own courtroom drama as he and his producer friend accuse each other of keeping film profits.

Allen is suing his long-time friend Jean Doumanian, alleging he was cheated out of $12m (�8.1m) plus interest.

But Ms Doumanian and her companion Jacqui Safra have counter-claimed that all due money was paid and that Allen in fact owes them.

Allen and Ms Doumanian's friendship of more than 20 years has been cast aside as they square up in a courtroom in Manhattan.

The opening day of the case saw lawyers from both sides set out the dispute.

Allen's attorney Michael Zweig told the jury the director had signed a three-movie deal with production company Sweetland Films, run by Ms Doumanian, with a budget of $52m (�35m).

Sweetland produced eight movies with Allen

But, he continued, eight pictures in total had been financed by the company, including Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite and Everybody Says I Love You.

"All of the money in dispute went to two persons, Jean Doumanian and Jacqui Safra," said Mr Zweig.

'Bogus case'

But the lawyer representing Ms Doumanian and Mr Safra, Peter Parcher, disputed the claim saying Allen had been given the $19.5m (�13.3m) he was due.

"This is a bogus case orchestrated by Woody Allen's handlers," said Mr Parcher.

"Woody Allen does not negotiate. He makes movies. His advisers negotiate. He followed the suggestions of his people."

"They thought they had a golden goose they wanted to fleece," Parcher added.

But Mr Zweig cited an example of the production company buying two Aston Martin's for $40,000 (�27,293) during the filming of Celebrity 1998.

He said once the film was over the car was sold to Mr Safra "for less than $5,000 and is sitting in his garage at the Safra Vineyards in Napa, California".

Pals

Zweig urged jurors to "follow the money in the case" as the trial unfolds.

"The defendants used every way possible to take profits that were supposed to be split with Woody Allen and put it in their own pockets instead.

"What you will not find in this case is an agreement extending the three picture deal," Mr Zweig said.

Mr Parcher reminded the court that Ms Doumanian was "the best friend Woody Allen ever had. For 20 to 25 years they would have dinner almost every night of the week. They were pals".

Allen is expected to be the first witness to take the stand.