Amazon has removed the documentary 'Melania' from an Oregon movie theater after the theater's marquee messages promoting the film sparked controversy. The Lake Theater & Café in Lake Oswego, Portland, initially displayed jokes like 'Does Melania wear Prada? Find out Friday!' and 'To defeat your enemy, you must know them. Melania', which were inspired by Sun Tzu's quote. The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, chronicles the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump's second inauguration. Amazon purchased the rights to produce and distribute the film for $40 million in 2025. However, the theater received a call from Amazon asking them to pull the film, as the studio was reportedly unhappy with the marketing approach. The marquee was then changed to read: 'Amazon called. Our marquee made them mad. All "Melania" showings cancelled. Show your support at Whole Foods instead. Join Amazon Prime for Free Two-Day Shipping.' The theater manager, Jordan Perry, explained that booking 'Melania' was intended as a humorous choice during a slow movie week, not a political statement. He wrote in a blog post, 'Wouldn't it be exponentially weirder, to the point of being funny, to show "Melania" here, at your obviously anti-establishment, occasionally troublemaking, neighborhood cinema?' Amazon Studios declined to comment. This incident raises questions about the balance between creative freedom and corporate influence in the film industry. It also invites discussion on the role of humor in political commentary and the potential impact of corporate decisions on artistic expression.
