Melania director says she allowed candid moments to be filmed

Brett Ratner told the Daily Mail that Melania Trump granted him unprecedented access and did not censor the footage, and he filmed the president and first lady for 20 days before the inauguration.

Director Brett Ratner says he was given broad access to film Melania Trump and the president for a theatrical documentary. He told the Daily Mail there was no censorship and that he captured candid, affectionate moments. Ratner filmed the couple for twenty days in January before last year’s inauguration. The film premiered in Washington, DC and is scheduled to open in theaters on Friday. Key details: - Ratner said Melania permitted him to include candid moments and did not censor the footage. - He filmed the president and first lady over a 20-day period in the transition before the inauguration. - Melania described the project as a cinematic look at the role of the first lady rather than a film about her personal life. - Ratner, known for feature films, said he had not previously directed a documentary and agreed to the project after a call from a Melania adviser. - Ratner previously hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, and he has largely not worked in Hollywood since 2017 amid accusations he has denied; he also appears in a photograph referenced in the Epstein files. - The first couple attended a Washington premiere where the red carpet was turned black, and Melania made a brief public comment calling for unity and peaceful protests during promotional appearances. Summary: Ratner describes the documentary as showing genuine affection between the president and first lady and portraying a more relaxed, behind-the-scenes side of the president. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on Friday.