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Images surface showing filmmaker with Jeffrey Epstein
Newly unsealed court documents from the U.S. Department of Justice include photographs of director Brett Ratner seated beside the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and unidentified women. The images were made public on Friday.
Context of the photographs
The exact date the pictures were taken remains unknown. They appear to have been captured in the same setting as earlier-released photos featuring Ratner, Epstein, and late French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, which were disclosed in December.
No evidence of misconduct is suggested in the files. Ratner's representative has not yet responded to requests for comment from media outlets, including the BBC.
Broader release of Epstein-related files
The images form part of a vast collection of millions of documents related to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The release stems from a legal requirement to disclose records while protecting victims' identities and ongoing investigations.
A lawyer representing many of Epstein's accusers has stated that the identities of numerous survivors were inadvertently revealed in the latest document dump.
Ratner's career and recent project
The photographs emerge as Ratner's latest documentary, Melania: 20 Days to History, faces sharp criticism. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at former First Lady Melania Trump in the days leading up to her husband's January 2025 inauguration.
Critics and political commentators have panned the project for its perceived ties to the Trump administration and its funding, which began before the film's theatrical release. Ratner, known for directing Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand, has not worked on a major project since facing sexual misconduct allegations in 2017 during the #MeToo movement. He has consistently denied the accusations.
Other high-profile figures in the files
The Friday release also included details about Epstein's connections to prominent individuals, such as Elon Musk, former UK cabinet minister Lord Peter Mandelson, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and Britain's Prince Andrew.
Among the images is one showing the former Duke of York, who relinquished his royal titles over his association with Epstein, in a pose that appears to depict him kneeling over a woman lying on the floor.
Background on Jean-Luc Brunel
Brunel, who co-founded the Paris-based Karin Models agency in 1977 and later the U.S.-based MC2 Model Management with Epstein's financial backing, was found dead in his Paris prison cell in 2022. Authorities ruled his death a suicide.
At the time, Brunel was under investigation for allegations of raping minors and trafficking young women for sexual exploitation. Prosecutors suspected he facilitated the transport of women to Epstein.
