By Gloria Ogbonna
Brett Ratner, the director of the newly released documentary Melania, says First Lady Melania Trump deserves full credit for the film’s historic box office success, which has quickly positioned it as one of the most successful documentary openings in the past decade.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, conducted just hours after the documentary debuted in theaters worldwide, Ratner praised the first lady’s vision, determination, and creative instincts, noting that the film is projected to earn more than $8 million during its opening weekend.
If those projections hold, Melania would mark the strongest theatrical debut for a documentary in ten years.
Speaking by phone on Saturday, Ratner described himself as “humbled” by the response and emphasized that the film’s success was driven almost entirely by Melania Trump’s original idea and unwavering commitment to bringing it to the big screen.
“I have to give all the credit to Melania,” Ratner said. “This was something she envisioned even before she met me.
The fact that she hired a feature-film director to make a documentary was surprising, even to me. But from day one, she told me, ‘I want this to be cinematic. I want it to have a theatrical release. I want it to live and play in movie theaters.’”
Ratner explained that this approach was highly unconventional, particularly in an era when most documentaries are released directly to streaming platforms.
Historically, documentaries have rarely enjoyed wide theatrical runs, making Melania Trump’s insistence on a cinematic experience both bold and unusual.
“That was really her vision, and she saw it through,” Ratner said. “One of the strategies was hiring someone like me, who does large-scale feature films, to make something designed specifically for theaters. This movie was built to live and breathe on the big screen.”
According to Ratner, audiences recognized that intention. From the marketing campaign to the trailers, he believes viewers could tell the documentary was crafted as a major cinematic production rather than a typical episodic or made-for-streaming project.
“You could watch it on streaming later,” he said, “but the audience felt that this was something meant to be experienced in theaters. And that’s why they showed up.”
The documentary follows Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025—a period the first lady described to Breitbart News at the film’s world premiere as “very intense.”
For Ratner, Melania represents a significant milestone in his career. Known for directing major Hollywood blockbusters such as the Rush Hour trilogy, Red Dragon, The Family Man, Tower Heist, and several other high-profile films, this project marks his first full-length documentary.
He has jokingly referred to it as “the most expensive student film ever made,” acknowledging how much he learned throughout the process.
“I was learning as I was doing it,” Ratner admitted. “It was a huge challenge, and I like to challenge myself. I’ve worked across many genres—action, comedy, thriller—but documentary was one of the last frontiers for me.”
Unlike scripted films, Ratner explained, documentary filmmaking required him to adapt in real time, following the first lady’s real-life movements rather than working from a detailed script and storyboard.
“This was probably the hardest film I’ve ever done,” he said. “In my past movies, I had total control. Here, I was following the first lady’s actual schedule as it unfolded.”
However, unprecedented access granted by Melania Trump made it possible for Ratner to approach the documentary with a level of structure rarely available in nonfiction filmmaking. He was informed of travel routes, schedules, and locations ahead of time, allowing him to deploy multiple crews and plan shots in advance.
“That’s how I was able to make it feel like a movie,” he explained. “I knew where she was going to be—when she was heading to the airport, boarding the plane, arriving at Trump Tower—so I could plan ahead and capture those moments cinematically.”
Ratner believes the result is a documentary that pushes the boundaries of the genre, blending real-time storytelling with the polish and pacing of a feature film.
When asked to compare working with Melania Trump to directing Hollywood actors, Ratner offered exceptionally high praise, likening her on-camera awareness to that of classic film legends.
“I’ve worked with many big stars,” he said. “And honestly, working with Melania felt like working with a legendary actress someone like Grace Kelly or Bette Davis.”
Ratner noted her natural understanding of lighting, camera angles, and movement, skills he attributes in part to her background as a professional model.
“She knows where the light is. She knows how to position herself without being self-conscious,” he said. “If it was raining, she would instinctively lift her umbrella just enough so the light could hit her face. It truly felt like working with a real movie star.”
The first lady’s enigmatic public image was another major reason Ratner agreed to direct the film. He said that despite her high-profile role, much about her life and work remained unknown to the public.
“Nobody really knows or understands what the first lady actually does,” Ratner said. “That mystery made the project incredibly compelling.”
Reflecting on the film’s legacy, Ratner said his primary goal was to showcase not only the responsibilities of the first lady but also her passion and dedication to the role.
“I’m extremely proud of the film,” he said. “Even if it hadn’t done well at the box office, I would still feel successful because we accomplished what we set out to do.”
Ratner recalled the emotional response at the film’s premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center, describing it as unlike any premiere he had experienced in Hollywood.
“The audience reaction was overwhelming,” he said. “People clapped spontaneously, laughed, and were fully engaged. It was incredibly validating.”
Through the filming process, Ratner said he gained a deep appreciation for Melania Trump’s work ethic and sense of duty.
“She takes her role as first lady very seriously,” he said. “Her days are long, her sleep is short, and she’s working at every waking moment.”
He also noted the mutual respect between President Trump and his wife, saying he was struck by how closely the president listens to her opinions.
“He has the utmost respect for her,” Ratner said. “And it’s mutual.”
As Ratner prepares for his next project, Rush Hour 4, he reflected on the changing landscape of Hollywood and expressed optimism about the industry’s future.
“At the end of the day, I’m about the work,” he said. “I’ve wanted to make movies since I was eight years old, and that’s still my focus. I’m happy with where Hollywood is right now, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Source Breitbart
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