"Reclusive First Lady" No More... Melania Steps Up to Promote Her Own Film

Documentary Film "Melania" to Premiere on January 30
Depicts 20 Days Leading Up to Trump’s Second Inauguration

Melania Trump, the wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is often referred to as the "reclusive First Lady" due to her rarely making public appearances, has stepped forward to personally promote a documentary film in which she is the main subject, ahead of its release.

On January 24 (local time), Melania Trump is scheduled to hold a private screening of the documentary film "Melania" at the White House, with President Trump in attendance. This will be the first screening before the film's official release. Mark Beckman, Melania's external advisor and the film's producer, stated the previous day that the White House screening "will be the first opportunity for President Trump, Melania, and their family and friends to watch the film from beginning to end."

A poster for the documentary film "Melania" is displayed at a subway station in New York City, USA. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.

"Melania" is set to be released in theaters on January 30. Before its release, Melania Trump is expected to participate in a series of promotional events. First, on January 28, she will attend the opening bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. Then, on January 29, the day before the release, she will attend the official premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center (formerly the Kennedy Center), a prominent venue in Washington, DC that recently changed its name. Premieres will also be held at major theaters in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Miami, and a large number of Amazon executives involved in the film's production are expected to attend.

The film depicts 20 days in the life of Melania Trump in January of last year, just before President Trump's second inauguration. Melania herself participated in both the direction and production process, and Amazon subsidiary MGM Studios made a significant investment in the film. MGM Studios signed a licensing agreement with Beckman worth approximately 40 million dollars (about 58.1 billion won) for the film's production. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Melania Trump's share of the contract is reported to be over 70%, amounting to about 40 billion won.

President Donald Trump of the United States and his wife Melania. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

The film has attracted attention for its close-up portrayal of a day in the life of the sitting First Lady, but it has also sparked controversy as the comeback work of director Brett Ratner, who was ousted from the industry due to allegations revealed in the "Me Too" movement. Additionally, some media outlets have reported that, despite the massive funds invested in the film's production and promotion, its box office prospects are bleak.

The film will be released not only in the United States but also in over 30 countries worldwide, including South Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. Melania Trump also plans to release an additional documentary later this year, focusing on her key interests, including children in foster care.