LOS ANGELES: Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead guitarist and composer Jonny Greenwood have formally requested the removal of music from Phantom Thread used in a documentary on former US first lady Melania Trump, citing a violation of the composer’s agreement.
In a statement issued through Greenwood’s representative, the duo said they recently learned that a piece from the 2017 film’s score had been used in the Melania documentary without prior consultation. Greenwood composed the critically acclaimed soundtrack for Phantom Thread, which was directed by Anderson.
The statement said that although Greenwood does not personally hold the copyright to the score, the studio failed to consult him over the third-party use of the music. Anderson and Greenwood described the omission as a breach of the composer’s contract and asked that the music be removed from the documentary.
The development has added further scrutiny to the documentary, which has already attracted widespread attention for its subject matter and unusually large budget. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film presents an intimate portrait of Melania Trump and has earned more than $13 million at the US box office after two weekends, a strong performance for a documentary.
Industry analysts have, however, questioned the scale of investment in the project. Reports suggest Amazon MGM spent around $40 million to acquire the documentary and an associated streaming series, followed by an additional $35 million on theatrical marketing — figures rarely seen in the non-fiction film sector.
Greenwood has collaborated extensively with Anderson over the past two decades, composing scores for films including There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice and Licorice Pizza. His Phantom Thread score was widely praised for its subtlety and emotional depth, making its unauthorised use particularly contentious.
The dispute has sparked debate across film industry forums and social media about the ethical and legal implications of repurposing well-known film music in politically sensitive documentaries. Questions have also been raised about whether studios sufficiently safeguard composers’ rights when their work is reused.
Amazon MGM has not yet issued a public response to the request.
The documentary also traces Melania Trump’s early life in Slovenia, noting her childhood involvement in fashion shows and early interest in design. According to the film, she learned sewing skills by observing her mother and excelled academically during her school years. The documentary states that Melania speaks several languages, including English and Slovene, which she has used publicly.