How is Brett Ratner connected to the latest Epstein Files release? 'Melania' director seen seated next to Jeffrey Epstein

Newly released Epstein Files photos show Brett Ratner seated next to Jeffrey Epstein and two redacted women, sparking renewed attention amid ongoing scrutiny of the director.

In the latest images, released on Jan. 30, the creator of the Melania documentary is seen clad in a white shirt, leaning in close and arms encircled around a woman's waist.

Beside him is the disgraced financier and another woman, whose arm is on his chest while her face is also concealed.

Brett Ratner's Melania documentary receives mixed reviews

The new photos emerge amid the screening of Brett Ratner-directed doc, Melania, which chronicles the day-to-day duties of Melania Trump, the current First Lady of the United States.

Ahead of its world premiere, VIPs congregated at the White House to commemorate the release of the movie in a lavish party. Present at the event were Apple CEO Tim Cook, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, Queen Rania of Jordan, and many more.

Per Rolling Stone, the invitation to the affair featured a text, saying:

"If you are a government employee or a government official, by accepting this invitation you are confirming that you have received approval from your ethics officer or legal department to attend this event and accept any provided items."

While it received chiefly negative reviews, with some calling it a Donald Trump propaganda movie, its mark on Rotten Tomatoes is a contradiction, as it is already through the roof with 99% rating.

The Melania documentary also reportedly earned "overwhelming dislike" on Fandom, Inc. Brian Truitt from USA Today critiqued the film:

"While it does offer an extremely flattering view of all things Melania, outside of a few candid glimpses, you're not really going to learn a lot about who she really is."

Meanwhile, Donald Clarke from The Irish Times wrote:

"No good impression emerges of the former Slovenian model. No bad impression emerges either. Ratner's film achieves, rather, a sort of passive distance – as you might get by pointing a camera, for close to two hours, at a waterfall or a wheat field."

Xan Brooks from The Guardian also left an unfavorable review:

"It's one of those rare, unicorn films that doesn't have a single redeeming quality. I'm not even sure it qualifies as a documentary, exactly, so much as an elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold to the touch and proffered like a medieval tribute to placate the greedy king on his throne."

Melania crew allege Brett Ratner was a nightmare on set

Apart from the negative reviews, the project's production was also alleged to have been a nightmare, particularly working with Brett Ratner. A staff member told Rolling Stone that Melania Trump was friendly during the filming, but the director was the contrary.

"She was the opposite of Brett Ratner."

Another person, who was also on the set, shared with the outlet:

"I feel a little bit uncomfortable with the propaganda element of this. But Brett Ratner was the worst part of working on this project."

Another one recalled being restricted to take breaks for meals, and that no outside food was allowed inside the filming site.

"Brett, unknowingly or maliciously, got his own food, went up there, was just eating it and just licking his fingers in grubbiest way possible, either being a d**k or [having] no awareness whatsoever to the fact that everybody else is working and no one's eating."

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Amidst the scathing comments against Brett Ratner, one production member declared:

"Unfortunately, if it does flop, I would really feel great about it."

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