Director Paul Thomas Anderson and composer Jonny Greenwood have officially protested the use of their works in the documentary “Melania,” which covers the life of Melania Trump.
The details of the dispute stem from the duo’s discovery that a lengthy portion of the piece “Barbara Rose,” part of the soundtrack for the 2017 Oscar-nominated film “Phantom Thread,” was included in the documentary directed by Brett Ratner.
The artists confirmed in an official statement that this use constitutes a clear violation of the composition contract signed with them; while Greenwood may not own the full intellectual property rights, the terms of the contract with Universal required consultation with him before granting a usage license to any third party, which did not happen in the case of this film.
Consequently, the duo demanded the immediate removal of the musical piece from the work, considering the insertion of their art into a project they did not approve of to be a professional and legal breach.
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These demands come at a time when the documentary is stirring controversy in the media, as Amazon MGM paid enormous sums reaching $40 million to acquire its rights, and an additional $35 million for its cinematic marketing, an unprecedented figure in the history of non-fiction films, sparking speculation about political motives behind this massive deal.
Superficial work backed by political mobilization
Despite harsh criticisms describing the film as a “superficial promotional work” lacking artistic depth, it has achieved notable commercial success at the US box office, driven by significant mobilization from Republican Party supporters.
On the other hand, this project marks a controversial return to Hollywood for director Brett Ratner after years of absence following sexual misconduct allegations leveled against him in 2017.
While the “Melania” production team remains silent regarding the request to remove the music so far, the duo Anderson and Greenwood continue their artistic brilliance, with their latest film “One Battle After Another” leading Oscar nominations with 13 nods, placing the “Melania” documentary in a legal predicament against artistic figures of global stature.
Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson is an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his distinctive cinematic style and complex character studies. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with films like “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia,” and has continued to create critically celebrated works such as “There Will Be Blood” and “Phantom Thread.” His career is defined by frequent collaborations with a core group of actors and crew, exploring themes of ambition, family, and flawed genius.
Jonny Greenwood
Jonny Greenwood is best known as the lead guitarist and keyboardist for the English rock band Radiohead, which formed in 1985. He has also gained significant acclaim as a film score composer, notably for his long-standing collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson on movies such as “There Will Be Blood” and “The Power of the Dog.”
Melania
Melania is a small village in Slovenia, historically known for its 15th-century Church of St. Melania the Younger. The settlement is part of the Šmarješke Toplice municipality and is primarily recognized for its quiet, rural character and its namesake religious site.
Melania Trump
Melania Trump is a former First Lady of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021 as the wife of the 45th President, Donald Trump. Born in Slovenia, she had a prior career as a fashion model before focusing on initiatives as First Lady, such as her “Be Best” campaign which addressed issues affecting children.
Barbara Rose
Barbara Rose is a prominent public sculpture by American artist John Henry, installed in 2004 at the University of Houston’s Cullen Family Plaza. The bright red, abstract steel structure is named for the late art historian and critic Barbara Rose, who was a faculty member and wrote extensively on modernist art. It serves as a dynamic visual landmark on the campus, reflecting the university’s commitment to integrating art into its public spaces.
Phantom Thread
“Phantom Thread” is a 2017 film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, not a physical place or cultural site. It is a fictional story set in 1950s London that follows the life of a renowned dressmaker, Reynolds Woodcock, and explores themes of love, control, and artistic obsession within the world of haute couture. The film is a work of historical fiction and does not depict a real location.
Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner is a contemporary American film director and producer, known for directing commercial Hollywood films like the *Rush Hour* series and *X-Men: The Last Stand*. He began his career making music videos in the 1990s before moving into feature films, and his work is primarily associated with mainstream action and comedy genres from the late 1990s onward.
Universal
Universal Studios is a major American film studio and theme park brand founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle. It is best known for its Hollywood production legacy and globally popular theme parks that offer immersive entertainment experiences based on movies and television.
Amazon MGM
Amazon MGM is a major American entertainment company formed in 2023 when Amazon completed its acquisition of the historic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio. The merger combined Amazon’s streaming platform with MGM’s vast library of over 4,000 films and 17,000 TV episodes, including iconic franchises like James Bond.
Republican Party
The Republican Party, founded in 1854, is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It was established primarily to oppose the expansion of slavery and its first successful presidential candidate was Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Hollywood
Hollywood is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, that became the global center of the American film industry in the early 20th century. Its iconic sign and the Hollywood Walk of Fame symbolize its history as the home of major film studios and a magnet for aspiring actors and filmmakers.
One Battle After Another
“One Battle After Another” is a memorial site dedicated to the continuous struggles and resilience of a community or nation, often symbolizing a series of historical conflicts. It typically commemorates a prolonged period of warfare or resistance, marking the enduring spirit through successive challenges. The history embodied there serves as a testament to perseverance across multiple generations or events.
Oscar
Oscar is the nickname for the Academy Award, a prestigious golden statuette presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for cinematic achievements. The award was first presented in 1929, and its nickname “Oscar” reportedly gained official acceptance by the Academy in 1939, though the origin of the name is debated.
