As the curtains lifted on “The Apprentice” at the Cannes Film Festival, the depiction of Donald Trump as a bully, conman, and rapist has stirred a maelstrom of controversy and legal saber-rattling. The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, boldly delves into Trump’s rise to power while not shying away from presenting an unflattering picture, filled with grim scenes that may have Trump’s supporters and the man himself recoiling.
The film, which evokes the style of an ’80s TV movie, serves as a Faustian tale charting the young Trump’s relationship with attorney Roy Cohn, who imparts upon him three guiding lessons: attack at all times, deny everything, and never admit defeat. Sebastian Stan steps into Trump’s shoes, with Jeremy Strong portraying Cohn in a performance that is already generating buzz for its depth and intensity.
According to the Trump campaign, the movie “belongs in a dumpster fire,” with chief campaign spokesman Steven Cheung labeling it as “pure malicious defamation” that “sensationalises lies that have been long debunked.” Trump’s camp is particularly infuriated by a scene in which Trump is shown assaulting his first wife Ivana, a fictionalized version of a retracted account from 1990.
Despite the legal threats, director Abbasi remains undeterred, suggesting that the Trump team should view the film before initiating any lawsuits. The legal confrontations are emblematic of the former president’s known playbook of aggressive legal posturing.
The making of “The Apprentice” has been fraught with behind-the-scenes drama, with investor Dan Snyder, who had donated significantly to Trump’s campaigns and inauguration, furious over the movie’s portrayal of the former president. He had anticipated a flattering portrayal, a far cry from the reality of the film’s content. His company, Kinematics, backed by Snyder, has since been engaged in a battle with the filmmakers over its creative direction.
The film’s reception has been mixed, with some critics recognizing Stan’s performance as a nuanced depiction of Trump’s transformation from a real-estate mogul to a national figure. Yet, others find the screenplay riddled with clichés and argue that Trump’s overexposure in recent years makes him a less compelling subject for dramatic exploration.
Abbasi maintains a humanistic stance on his subjects, asserting that even the most monstrous figures have shown kindness or vulnerability at points in their lives. His film, replete with nightclubs and limousines, encapsulates Trump’s relentless ambition and opens a conversation on the darker facets of his rise, poised against the backdrop of the Watergate era through the Reagan years.
“The Apprentice” currently faces the challenge of securing a U.S. distribution deal, with the looming U.S. elections being humorously cited by Abbasi as a potential promotional event. As the industry and legal circles watch closely, the film’s path to American audiences—and its impact on the political and cultural landscape—remains uncertain.
Relevant articles:
– Controversial Donald Trump movie ‘The Apprentice’ depicts him as rapist, washingtonpost.com, 05/21/2024
– Inside the Legal Battle to Recut Trump Movie ‘The Apprentice’: Why Billionaire Investor Dan Snyder Is Furious With Ex-President’s Portrayal (EXCLUSIVE), Variety, 05/20/2024
– Controversial Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice shocks Cannes audience, Yahoo Movies UK, 05/21/2024
– ‘The Apprentice’ Cannes Review: Trump Movie Could Be Oscar Contender, The Daily Beast, 05/21/2024
– Trump movie The Apprentice: ‘I don’t think it is a movie he would dislike,’ says director, The Guardian, 05/21/2024
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