Volume 7, Issue No. 37
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . .
Our latest as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026
~ Slovenia-born Melania Knauss (formerly Knavs) entered the United States on an EB-1A visa, commonly known as the "Einstein Visa," reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability. Her journey to citizenship and to being US first lady is one of glamour reenforced by her marriage to Donald Trump, the 45th and present (47th) president. A documentary titled "Melania" is currently showing in theatres in the Greater Toronto Area. The number of moviegoers is below expectations. Yesterday at Scotiabank Theatre in downtown, 19 people turned up, which was a big improvement from the day's opening with only seven souls in attendance.
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MELANIA THE DOCUMENTARY
An Immigrant's Journey
to Becoming FLOTUS
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” ― Jim Rohn
TORONTO - Social media is awash with stories and memes about Melania, the eponymous documentary featuring Melania Knauss Trump, the 55-year-old Slovenia-born third wife of US President Donald J. Trump.
Critics had a field day mocking the movie which is currently showing in two theatres here in Toronto - Scotiabank Theatre on Richmond St. in downtown, and Cineplex Cinema in Scarborough.
Its dismal performance during the weekend kindled my interest in watching it, just to find out for myself why, despite the huge budget totalling US$75 million - "the highest price ever paid for a documentary" - lavished by Jeff Bezos and MGM Studios.
Melania Trump reportedly made $28 million from the film, which chronicles the 20 days prior to her transition, again, from commoner making a living as a model to first lady of the United States, being the wife of Donald J. Trump who was going to be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 47th US president.
So yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 3) afternoon I went to watch it at Scotiabank Theatre, and paid $5.65 for a seat for the nearly two-hour long movie. Many of the scenes were already familiar to me, having watched the extensive news coverages by the major networks of Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.
* * * * * *
Here's how the blurb goes:
Offering unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration — through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself — step inside Melania Trump's world as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and reenters public life with her family. With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Mrs. Trump returns to one of the world's most powerful roles.
* * * * * *
Thirty minutes before the main feature, I was already in the theatre. I felt a little disappointed to see empty seats knowing that on Tuesdays, ticket price is much lower than on other days and on the weekend. I was actually the fifth patron there.
Towards the showing at one o'clock, more people came in. I had positioned myself at the top of the stairway so I could count, and by the time Melania started, the number of moviegoers had grown to less than 20. Later I asked the concierge how many people actually paid and watched. "Nineteen," he said. That confirmed my own account.
Compared to genuine documentaries that I've watched as a student of history, there's nothing memorable about Melania. The ostentatious gold-plated settings everywhere one looked at are cruel, at least to my eyes. But Melania Trump clearly enjoyed the glitter.
For me, two statements from her stand out. One is when she said in a pre-recorded voice-over: "Everyone should do what they can to protect our individual rights. Never take them for granted, because in the end, no matter where we come from, we are bound by the same humanity."
It sounded so deceptive, like she was not aware of what the administration of her husband Donald Trump, a convicted felon and adjudicated sexual offender, is doing against immigrants like herself, in Minnesota, California, Illinois, Texas and across the country.
I wish she would tell him: Donald dear, remember that I come from Slovenia, and your parents are immigrants from Germany and Scotland, and therefore "we are bound by the same humanity." So ease up, please.
The second noteworthy remark at that juncture when Melania Trump was being escorted to the stage by a Marine, she quipped: "Here we go again" and flashed a contemptuous smile.
The comment caught my attention for its flippancy, perhaps her attempt to humour moviegoers or the people attending the inauguration ceremonies at the White House.
"Here we go again" is an idiom defined by the dictionary as "something familiar, and often familiar or unwelcome, is happening again. The phrase usually emphasizes the speaker's frustration or annoyance that this is the case."
The documentary failed in many respects, in my opinion, as a moviegoer and journalist. Not once did Melania Trump miss the opportunity to inspire beyond the glamour of her position.
I was expecting to see some kind of justification for her alleged genius implied in being a recipient of the Einstein Visa. Maybe her constant discussion with designers and dressmakers manifested that "genius" if that's what it is.
(Related story: What is the Einstein visa? And how did Melania Trump get one?).
(Additional information: What Is the Einstein Visa and Who Can Qualify?)
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I got tired watching her walking back and forth, trying customized dresses with a retinue of assistants, traveling by plane and car from one destination to the next, talking flimsy with aides, dancing a bit to the tune of YMCA.
But I had to endure all the hoopla and fancy accolade bestowed on her by Jeff Bezos and MGM Studios' $75 million ($40 million for production and $35 million for promotions) gift - some critics say it's a bribe - to confirm my doubts.
That $75 million for such a lousy documentary, isn't it genius? (Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved).
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