While the sleek, $40 million Melania Trump documentary simply titled “Melania” was set to premiere in cinemas worldwide in late January 2026, recent reports from The New York Times indicate that its screening in South Africa has been completely canceled. This decision, made by the local distributor Filmfinity, has sparked widespread speculation about the project’s commercial future and the political challenges surrounding it.
Why Did South Africa Halt the Screening of the Melania Documentary?
According to reports published on January 28, 2026, the cancellation of this documentary’s screening in South Africa is far more than a simple calendar shift. As one of Africa’s largest film markets, the country has recently faced widespread political and industry tensions. On one hand, the local film industry is grappling with budget crises and large-scale protests by actors and filmmakers in Cape Town. On the other hand, public opinion has shown high sensitivity toward projects perceived as “political propaganda.”
Controversial Directing: Brett Ratner’s Return to Cinema
One of the main reasons for the negative reactions to the Melania documentary is the involvement of director Brett Ratner. Ratner, who was effectively blacklisted from Hollywood in 2017 following numerous allegations of ethical misconduct, has made a highly controversial comeback with this project. Reports suggest that even within the production team, significant tensions existed; it is said that two-thirds of the film’s technical crew requested their names be removed from the final credits to avoid association with Ratner and the political nature of the film.
Commercial Failure or Political Boycott?
The “Melania” documentary, produced with a massive budget by Amazon (MGM) and backed by $35 million in promotional spending, has also underperformed in other markets such as the United Kingdom. Executives from theater chains like Vue have reported “very soft” and lukewarm ticket sales. Many critics believe audiences are unwilling to pay $25 to watch what feels more like a “lengthy campaign commercial” or an “expensive perfume advertisement” than a genuine, investigative documentary.
Key Points of Controversy Surrounding the Melania Documentary:
- $40 million cost: The amount Amazon paid for distribution rights, drawing significant criticism.
- Content control: Critics argue that Melania Trump had complete control over the final edit, rendering the work devoid of journalistic value.
- Online protests: Users on platforms like Letterboxd greeted the film with harsh reviews, although many of these were removed due to site policies.
Political Impact and Trump’s Reaction
U.S. President Donald Trump described parts of the documentary as “stunning” in response and predicted it would receive the same warm welcome as Melania’s memoir. However, the reality in international markets appears quite different. The cancellation in South Africa demonstrates that the Trump brand even in the form of a polished biographical documentary faces serious global resistance.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Melania documentary in South Africa can be seen as a combination of commercial disinterest, local political sensitivities, and the director’s tarnished reputation. While Amazon hoped this film would reveal hidden layers of the First Lady’s life, the project has so far become less of an inspiration and more of a new flashpoint for debates about money’s influence in politics and ethics in Hollywood.
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