Tale of two films
2 days ago , by Richard Lutz
RICHARD LUTZ on two documentaries, premiered in the same week, which reveal different takes on the world.
Never thought I would write the names of King Charles and Melania Trump in the same breath. But here we go:
Both of these world figures have launched documentaries about themselves this past week. And it can’t go without a passing comment.
The monarch’s movie continues his lifelong pitch about the environment. He’s been linked with conservation for all his adult life (and sometimes mocked for it) but, whatever you think of rich British royalty, at least he’s been consistent.
His 90 minute doco, narrated by star Kate Winslet, is stark at times as he warns: ‘It’s not just climate change that’s the problem but also biodiversity loss. We’re destroying our means of survival.’
The film, called ‘Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision’ will be available on Amazon Prime later this month.
And that takes us nicely to ‘Melania’, the self produced self portrait about President Trump’s wife.
We’re hearing reports that Amazon MGM Studios (do we see a weird link here?) bought the rights for $40m from the producers (which includes Mrs Trump) and then spent another $35m on marketing.
Admittedly, like Charles’ green doco, I haven’t seen it.
But early reviewers have likened it to a North Korean propaganda film in high heels; more of a ‘mockumentary than a documentary’ and, tellingly, it received zero out of a potential five stars from one British newspaper which called the film ‘pure endless hell’.
Its does bear a (slight) similarity though to ‘Finding Harmony’. Both launched safely within their own worlds. The royal movie was offered up at Windsor Palace. ‘Melania’ found a home for initial screening at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, now annoyingly re-named the Trump Kennedy Centre.
But a singular difference is straightforward. Charles’ film on the environment will give all its income to The King’s Foundation. It supports education and social enterprises not only in Britain but worldwide.
Melania has already cashed the multi million dollar cheque from Jeff Bezo’s crew at Amazon MGM. Needless to say, not much change will go to the needy, the fearful, the grieving of Minneapolis. It’ll disappear somewhere into the bowels of Trumpland where, no doubt, they’re lining up with their popcorn to see the home movie.
So, take your pick on these two pics, movie fans.
A king tells us our green and pleasant globe is being strangled. And the wife of a president stars in a showcase that one reviewer says proves that ‘…all the money in the world can’t make good propaganda’ while another wryly quips ‘it’s like watching gold paint dry…’
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Martin McCrindle
Loved this review:
Melania: a face like a fist and a voice of sheet metal. “Candlelight and black tie and my creative vision,” she says, as though listing the ingredients in a cauldron. “As first lady, children will always remain my priority,” she coos, and you can almost picture her coaxing them into her little gingerbread house.
😂😂😂😂
Laura Knowles
Ms Trump: the personification of greed, narcissism and self delusion
Lewis Waugh
I got caught at the opening phrase, ‘world figures’. Really! Is that where we are at now?
A few decades back it would have been, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Pele. That’s just off the top of my head …. Oh my goodness – they are all non-white …. Angela Merkel!
Tony Fitzpatrick
She’s wonderful and has given so much to the world, her country back home, the needy, the homeless and dispossessed.
The highlight for me was the life changing impact her letter to Putin had seeing those thousands of disappeared Ukrainian children returned to their parents. This docu-homage may just nudge her towards that much deserved Nobel Peace Prize. Her doting husband would be overwhelmed with pride!
Mary Freeman
Well, given that the Kennedy Center, which will NEVER EVER be referred to as the Trump Kennedy Center, is being shut down for two years for “renovations“ the Melania documentary may be, I hope, the last performance there for the remainder of the Trump administration. 🙏🙏🙏
Lee Yu/ Chicago
What happening to my country. Is this the new reality?
Nic Mason
Re Melania film:
Might be so bad that it’s worth watching
https://share.google/Yd4yurOyoMxrxHlP8
Alya K
Why does she always look angry?
Lorna McVicar
If I only learn one phrase in another language, it will be “I’m so sorry about Donald Trump – I did NOT vote for him”!!
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