Amazon Withdraws ‘Melania’ Film Over Theater Marquee Jokes

Amazon recently withdrew the documentary “Melania” from a theater in Lake Oswego, Oregon, after the venue featured humorous promotional messages on its marquee. This decision has drawn attention given both Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump are known for their comedic resilience.

Incident Overview

The Lake Theater and Cafe, recognized for its creative advertising, was screening the film when Amazon requested the cancellation. The theater’s manager, Jordan Perry, shared that the film’s promotion included cheeky lines like “Does Melania wear Prada? Find out Friday” and a nod to Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” with, “To defeat your enemy, you must know them. Melania starts Friday.”

Amazon’s Reaction

After Amazon’s request to halt the screenings, the theater altered its marquee to read, “Amazon called. Our marquee made them mad. All Melania showings cancelled. Show your support at Whole Foods instead.” The display concluded with a plug for Amazon Prime’s shipping services.

Community Response

Local patrons had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the theater’s choice to screen “Melania.” Perry noted a surge of emails and reviews questioning the screening and criticizing the theater’s decision. The theater’s Instagram post highlighted that the abrupt change wasn’t prompted by public backlash but rather a corporate directive.

Box Office Performance

Despite the withdrawal, the film achieved notable box office success nationally, recording the best performance for a documentary in a decade, though it faced harsh critiques. The Lake Theater reported earning only $196 in ticket sales during its screening weekend.

The Theatrical Decision

Perry explained his rationale for choosing to show “Melania.” He believed that screening the film in the politically progressive region would provide a unique, humorous contrast. “Wouldn’t it be exponentially weirder, to the point of being funny, to show [Melania] here?” he pondered.

Conclusion

This incident reflects the complexities of humor in politically charged content. With Amazon’s withdrawal of “Melania,” it raises questions about corporate influence on local art and its broad implications for the future of film screenings in community settings.