“Melania Producer Reacts to Rockstar’s Music Takedown Demand”
In a recent controversy surrounding the documentary “Melania,” producer Marc Beckman has responded sharply to claims made by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and director Paul Thomas Anderson. They alleged that they did not permit the use of their music in the film, which depicts Melania Trump during the lead-up to her husband’s 2025 inauguration.
Producer’s Defense Against Music Takedown Demand
Beckman emphatically stated, “It’s a blatant lie.” He affirmed that his team possesses the legal rights and permissions to utilize every piece of music included in “Melania.” He added, “We’ve done everything the right way. We respect artists. We compensated everyone for their music.”
Allegations from Greenwood and Anderson
According to the filmmakers, a track from Anderson’s film “Phantom Thread,” titled “Barbara Rose” and composed by Greenwood, was used without proper authorization. They noted that, although Greenwood doesn’t own the score’s copyright, Universal Pictures failed to consult him prior to the third-party usage, violating his composer agreement.
- Documentary Title: Melania
- Composer: Jonny Greenwood
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Music Source: Phantom Thread
Criticism of Media Coverage
In addition to defending his rights to the music, Beckman criticized several news outlets for their reporting. He claimed these organizations did not reach out to the production team before publishing their articles, stating that it is essential for journalists to report facts rather than fabricating stories.
He remarked, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for journalism, but if it continues to head in this direction, it will lose its impact and importance in our democracy.”
Documentary Reception and Financials
Despite facing challenges, “Melania” has garnered a diverse range of reactions. The documentary holds a dismal 11% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes; however, audience feedback has been markedly more positive.
- Licensing Cost: $40 million by Amazon MGM Studios
- Domestic Box Office Gross: $13.35 million in two weeks
- Support Base: Notably supported by organized groups of Republican women
As the situation continues to unfold, both the production team and the artists involved remain at the center of a heated debate over artistic rights and permissions within the film industry.
