Melania Documentary Producer Denies Music Rights Allegations
Marc Beckman, the producer of the documentary Melania, has vehemently denied allegations that music by Radiohead lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and director Paul Thomas Anderson was used without proper authorization. In a statement to Breitbart News on Monday, Beckman called the claims a blatant lie, asserting that all legal protocols were followed.
Legal Rights and Compensation
Beckman emphasized that the production team secured full legal rights and permissions for every song and piece of music featured in the film. We have legally binding, fully executed contracts in place to use every song in 'Melania,' he stated. He further explained that the team compensated all artists appropriately and respected their creative contributions, following industry standards to the letter.
Dispute Over 'Barbara Rose'
The controversy centers on the song Barbara Rose, originally composed by Greenwood for Anderson's film Phantom Thread. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this track is included in the documentary, which chronicles First Lady Melania Trump's activities in the 20 days leading up to her husband's 2025 inauguration. Greenwood and Anderson released a statement obtained by Variety, alleging that Universal, the copyright holder, failed to consult Greenwood on this third-party use, breaching his composer agreement. They have requested the removal of the music from the documentary.
Beckman's Response to Allegations
Beckman dismissed the request as ridiculous, reiterating that all necessary legal steps were taken. He also criticized news outlets for reporting on the matter without contacting the documentary's production team first. It's time for journalists to report the news as opposed to making it up, he remarked, expressing concern over the potential erosion of journalism's integrity and impact in democracy if such practices continue.
Documentary Performance and Reception
Despite the legal dispute, the documentary has garnered mixed reviews. It holds a low 11% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes but has received high praise from viewers. The Guardian reports that Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million to license the film, which earned $13.35 million domestically over two weeks in theaters, partly driven by organized groups of Republican women.
