Paul Thomas Anderson, the director of “Phantom Thread,” and Jonny Greenwood, the film’s composer, are objecting to the use of their music in the new documentary “Melania.” They argue that Universal Pictures didn’t properly seek permission, violating Greenwood’s composer agreement. As a result, they have requested the removal of that music from the documentary.
“Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner, aims to provide insight into the First Lady but has received mixed reviews. After two weekends, the film has brought in $13.35 million domestically. This figure is impressive for a documentary, especially one not focused on nature or music.
However, the production costs are startling. Amazon MGM invested $40 million to acquire “Melania” and an associated streaming series, plus another $35 million for marketing. This financial commitment is unusual, as documentaries typically don’t generate large box office revenue. Some industry experts suggest that this move may be an attempt by Amazon to build rapport with the current administration.
The massive spending raises questions about the film’s profitability. Since theaters generally keep about half of ticket sales, recouping the costs could be challenging. In an unusual step, Amazon MGM addressed the documentary’s second-weekend performance in a public statement.
Greenwood, who has spent the last two decades focusing more on film scores than his music with Radiohead, has contributed to several notable films including “There Will Be Blood” and “Liquorice Pizza.” Critics often praise his work for creating rich, emotional landscapes. For instance, Owen Gleiberman from Variety once highlighted how Greenwood’s score for “Phantom Thread” evokes a sense of suspense akin to classic Hitchcock films.
As documentaries continue to explore new themes and stories, the financial dynamics behind them are evolving. The conversation surrounding “Melania” reflects a larger trend in the industry, where big budgets are increasingly common for non-traditional genres. It will be interesting to see if this trend leads to more innovative storytelling in documentaries or simply higher risks for studios.
For further reading on the complexities of documentary financing, you can check out this insightful analysis by Documentary.org.
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