In brief
Filmfinity, the distributor of the Melania Trump documentary, has decided against screening the film in South Africa due to unspecified 'recent developments' impacting US-South Africa relations. The film is set to release in other regions, but is absent from major cinema listings in South Africa, causing controversy and speculation about the reasons for its exclusion.
Cinemas in South Africa will not be showing the documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump that is due to be released around the world on Friday. The South African distributor Filmfinity has decided not to release it, its head of sales and marketing told the New York Times and South Africa-based website News24. The company was not explicit about the reasons behind the move.The film, 'Melania', is not promoted on the websites of the country's main cinema chains. One Cape Town independent cinema contacted by the BBC said that it was called by Filmfinity and told not to list it.Relations between the US and South Africa have seriously deteriorated over the past year. Amazon has reportedly paid $35m to market the film, which follows Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to her husband's second inauguration.Filmfinity's Thobashan Govindarajulu stated, Based on recent developments, we've taken the decision to not go ahead with a theatrical release in territory. The executive did not elaborate on what was meant by 'recent developments' or the 'current climate'. Attempts by the BBC to get comments from Filmfinity, described as the leading film distributor in southern Africa, have been unsuccessful.Currently, showtimes for 'Melania' are not listed on the websites of South Africa's two main cinema chains, Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro, indicating a lack of promotion for the film in the region.
