Paul Thomas Anderson and Jonny Greenwood are demanding the removal of their music from a recently released documentary about Melania Trump, citing a breach of their composer agreement.
A Dispute Over Artistic Control
The acclaimed director and Radiohead guitarist are pushing back against the unauthorized use of their work in a film that has already sparked debate.
- Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson (55) and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood (54) object to the use of music from their 2017 film, “Phantom Thread,” in the documentary “Melania.”
- They claim Universal did not consult Greenwood regarding the use of his composition.
- The pair have formally requested the music be removed from the film.
- The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, has grossed over $13 million after two weekends in theaters.
According to a statement obtained via Greenwood’s representative, Anderson and Greenwood learned their music was used in the documentary without their consent. While Greenwood doesn’t hold the copyright to the soundtrack itself, the statement asserts that Universal has not sought his approval for this third-party use, representing a violation of his composer agreement.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, offers a look into the life of the former First Lady, though reports suggest it remains largely opaque. The film’s financial performance has also raised eyebrows, earning over $13 million in its first two weekends—an unusually strong showing for a documentary not focused on nature or music.
The significant cost of bringing “Melania” to the screen—reportedly $40 million for the film and accompanying docuseries, plus an additional $35 million for marketing—has fueled speculation that Amazon MGM may be attempting to curry favor with the current administration.
Greenwood’s work as a film composer has become increasingly prominent over the last 25 years, with credits including “There Will Be Blood,” “Inherent Vice,” and “Licorice Pizza.”
