The new documentary “Melania” has sparked headlines, not just for its subject, but also for its music choices. Producer Marc Beckman recently spoke about the debate involving composer Jonny Greenwood.
Greenwood originally composed music for the film Phantom Thread, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. A piece from that score appears in “Melania.” After the documentary’s release, questions were raised about whether the music was properly licensed.
Beckman strongly denied any wrongdoing. He said the production team legally licensed the orchestral cue from the rights holder, which is owned by Universal. According to Beckman, everything was handled by professional lawyers, and the music was cleared correctly.
Greenwood’s concern, as reported, was not about payment but about being informed when his music is reused. Some composers include contract clauses that require notification. Beckman said that in many cases, rights holders control the final decision.
Music Licensing Can Be Complicated
As per Variety Reports, the interview also revealed how difficult it can be to license songs for a high-profile project. Beckman shared that the team secured music from artists like The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, and Aretha Franklin. However, they were unable to secure songs from Prince and Guns N’ Roses due to approval issues.
Beckman explained that sometimes artists approve a song, but rights holders block it. In other cases, estates or legal managers make the final call. He described the process as complex and often influenced by personal or business decisions.
He also said that Melania Trump was deeply involved in selecting and approving every song used in the documentary. According to him, she worked closely with the team during editing and had a clear vision for the film’s sound.
Streaming Plans and Docuseries Ahead
The documentary has a short-term streaming agreement with Amazon MGM Studios. Beckman believes the company received strong value from the deal, especially as the film will later expand into a separate docuseries.
The upcoming docuseries will reportedly explore more personal stories and topics not included in the film. It is expected to launch later this year.
For now, the discussion around “Melania” shows how music licensing, politics, and film production can quickly become headline news. While opinions remain divided, the soundtrack and its licensing process have clearly become a major talking point surrounding the documentary’s release.
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