Michelle Obama’s Documentary Soars 13,000% in Views Amid Melania Film Release
Michelle Obama’s documentary “Becoming” experienced a staggering increase in views over the recent weekend during the release of Melania Trump’s new film. The surge reached over 13,000%, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
Overview of Viewership Trends
According to Luminate, viewers engaged with “Becoming” for a total of 47.5 million minutes. This dramatic rise follows a significantly lower 354,000 minutes viewed the weekend prior.
Comparison with Melania’s Film
The film “Melania,” which debuted in cinemas with a budget of $40 million and an advertising expenditure of $35 million, generated $7 million during its opening weekend. This marks the highest opening for a documentary in over ten years.
Critical Reception
- Melania currently holds a 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- In contrast, “Becoming” boasts an impressive 93% rating.
Critics have been harsh on “Melania.” The Guardian’s Xan Brooks described it as “a gilded trash remake of Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest” in a scathing review.
Box Office Performance
Despite strong initial revenue, “Melania” faced challenges in international markets. It opened at number 29 in the UK and number 31 in Australia.
Target Audience Insights
The demographics for “Melania” indicate that the primary audience was predominantly white women over the age of 55.
Controversies Surrounding the Film
Director Brett Ratner, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, defended himself after a resurfaced photograph with Jeffrey Epstein. He stated, “I didn’t have a personal relationship with him. It’s crazy. It’s horrible.”
Recent Developments
This week, Melania Trump engaged with freed Israeli-American hostages at the White House, promoting her documentary in the process.
During a press interaction, she referenced a meeting with Aviva Siegel aiming to help her husband, Keith, which was filmed and included in “Melania.” She described the experience as emotional but insisted it wasn’t intended as a promotion.
Cinema Controversy
An Oregon cinema owner reported that Amazon withdrew “Melania” from screening after he made lighthearted jokes about the film on his marquee. The Lake Theater and Cafe in Lake Oswego had humorously advertised the film with the tagline: “To defeat your enemy, you must know them. Melania starts Friday.”
