US EditionSouth African Cinemas Pull Melania Trump Documentary Ahead of Release
Filmfinity canceled the South African release citing recent developments amid weak advance sales and controversy over director Brett Ratner, despite no outside pressure, local theaters confirmed.
- Filmfinity reversed course this week, cancelling South African screenings of Melania days before the global opening on January 30.
- Filmfinity said it would not proceed after citing unspecified recent developments and the current climate, with Thobashan Govindarajulu stressing the decision was the company's alone, without outside pressure.
- After receiving instructions from the distributor, Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor removed 'Melania' from listings, with Nu Metro saying `The rights sit with Filmfinity, and it's at their request that we are not releasing it`.
- Despite a $40 million rights payment, the film will not screen theatrically in South Africa while slated for 2000 cinemas in the US and 5000 worldwide with a $3 million projected opening weekend.
- Director Brett Ratner's return amid past misconduct allegations added controversy to the film's rollout, while strained relations between President Donald Trump and the South African government over tariffs and false claims angered local audiences.
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The Independent
The Independent (US)Melania documentary pulled from South African theaters for ‘political reasons’
Film is scheduled to release Friday worldwide
Melania Movie Reportedly Pulled From Theaters
Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images The First Lady’s new movie won’t gain any early traction in one major African market. Melania tells the story of the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration. The movie focuses on Melania Trump ahead of her husband’s return to office. It will come out in 5,000 theatres worldwide. Presales in the US ahead of the big opening have already reached $1 million. Meanwhile, it could rake in approximatel…
'Melania' doc pulled from theaters in South Africa amid tension between the country, Donald Trump
Thobashan Govindarajulu, Head of Sales and Marketing at local distributor Filmfinity, said the decision was made "based on recent developments."Melania Trump Samuel Corum/GettyMelania Trump’s documentary has been pulled from all theaters in South Africa just days before its scheduled release. The film’s local distributor, Filmfinity, announced on Wednesday that it would no longer release Melania on Friday due to “recent developments,” The New Yo…
South Africa Refusing to Screen Melania Trump's Documentary Due to 'Recent Developments'
Melania Trump‘s controversial documentary hits theaters this weekend, but one country has now decided to not show the film in theaters locally. South Africa will no longer have a theatrical release for Melania. By the way, the documentary was directed by controversial filmmaker Brett Ratner, ...
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