The recent release of the Melania documentary, bankrolled by none other than Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has been met with a resounding chorus of criticism. What this really means is that the film industry's cozy relationship with the Trump administration is on full display, and the public is not buying it.
A Questionable Production and Promotion
Directed by Brett Ratner, a filmmaker previously accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, the Melania documentary was reportedly produced on a $75 million budget. To put that in perspective, that's more than double the production cost of the average Hollywood blockbuster. And the promotional push has been equally lavish, with a reported $35 million marketing campaign that included a star-studded premiere at the White House.
Defunding the Arts, Embracing Vanity
The bigger picture here is that this vanity project comes from the same administration that repeatedly tried to defund the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. It's a classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse - the very people who sought to undermine arts and cultural institutions are now using their wealth and influence to push their own agenda through a high-profile documentary.
As recent reports have indicated, the film is struggling at the box office, with "soft" ticket sales in the UK. This suggests that the public is not as enamored with this vanity project as the producers had hoped.
A Troubling Trend in the Industry
The Melania documentary is emblematic of a broader issue in the entertainment industry - the willingness of powerful figures to use their resources to shape the cultural narrative, even if it means compromising artistic integrity. It's a trend that should concern anyone who values the independence and objectivity of the arts.
As we look to the future, it's crucial that we resist the temptation to let money and influence override the pursuit of genuine, meaningful storytelling. The Melania documentary may be a commercial failure, but the larger battle for the soul of the arts is far from over.