In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood director Brett Ratner, once known for hosting fundraisers for Hillary Clinton, has now directed an intimate documentary about First Lady Melania Trump. The film, which premiered in Washington D.C. this week, offers what Ratner describes as an unprecedented look at the relationship between President Donald Trump and his wife.
From Democratic Donor to Trump Documentarian
Ratner, whose career includes blockbuster films like Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand, found himself in unexpected territory when he received a call "out of nowhere" from Marc Beckman, a top adviser to Melania Trump. This occurred shortly after Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential campaign. Beckman revealed that the First Lady had a specific vision for a documentary project and wanted to discuss it with Ratner.
The director expressed initial surprise, noting his lack of documentary experience, but was intrigued by Melania's concept. "She had this vision to do a film that was for the theaters," Ratner explained. "Something that was more cinematic than just talking heads."
Unprecedented Access and No Censorship
During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Melania Trump outlined her ambitious plan. She wanted the film to explore the fascinating, often misunderstood role of the First Lady, rather than focusing on her personal life. Crucially, she promised Ratner "access that was unprecedented" and assured him there would be "no censorship" regarding how her relationship with the president was portrayed.
"I said, 'I really want to put this stuff in,'" Ratner recalled of the tender moments he captured. "She said, 'alright Brett, if you want to put it in, put it in.' So I captured it - and it's truthful - there was nothing staged or false about it."
Capturing 'Genuine Affection' Between the First Couple
The documentary was filmed over twenty days in January, just before President Trump's inauguration. Ratner described observing "a lot of very loving, affectionate warmth coming in both directions." He aimed to capture subtle, genuine interactions rather than over-the-top public displays of affection.
One poignant scene involved focusing on the couple's hands holding each other below the camera frame. "They didn't see that I wasn't focusing on their faces," Ratner noted. "I was focusing on their hands that were below the frame holding each other."
The President as Co-Star
While Melania is undoubtedly the film's star, Ratner emphasized that President Trump plays a crucial supporting role. "He delivered," the director stated. "He knows how important the film was for her, and what I'm most proud of is that, I think the president comes across as real as it comes."
Ratner observed a different side to the often-combative president when he was with his wife. "I think when he's with his wife, he's the most relaxed. He's the most confident," he commented. "He was just as sincere and real - I think people see his humanity, as well, in the film."
A Political Shift and Personal Reconciliation
Ratner's involvement with the Trump family marks a significant shift from his previous political affiliations. He openly acknowledged once hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton but explained that his support now lies with any president who supports Israel, a key issue for him.
"So any president who supports Israel is my president. And Donald Trump is definitely my president, yeah," he said.
Interestingly, Ratner contrasted the Trump family's attitude with what he perceives as less tolerance in Democratic circles. "I had a Hillary Clinton fundraiser at my house once. But the cool thing about the Trumps is that they know that and they don't care," he revealed. "On the other hand, if I was with the Democrats and I donated to a Republican, they would banish me from their world."
Melania's Cinematic Sensibility
Ratner, who has largely been absent from Hollywood since facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017 (which he denied), found a unique subject in the former model. "When I started filming her, I realized that she was like a movie star from the glory days of Hollywood," he said. "She understands lighting, she understands movement."
The director was determined that the project should transcend political boundaries. "Because, of course, me being a Hollywood guy, I didn't want to be involved in a film that was political in any way," Ratner explained. He agreed to the project because Melania's vision was broader than a simple "MAGA film" and could potentially be received as apolitical.
The documentary premiered Thursday night at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., offering audiences what Ratner promises is an authentic, uncensored glimpse into one of the world's most scrutinized marriages.
