Already during its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the controversial “The Apprentice” by Ali Abbasi has caused quite a stir. Focused on the life of politician and entrepreneur Donald Trump - when in the 80s he aimed to expand his real estate assets alongside the lawyer Roy Cohn - the title immediately impressed viewers, arousing dismay especially for a scene in which the former president abuses his first wife Ivana Trump. With immediate response, the tycoon made explicit threats to the director and is still trying to block the release of the film in theaters.
Even in the face of intimidation, Abbasi has shown himself to be taking things with the right detachment, saying last May that the upcoming presidential election could even serve as a boost to the film's promotion: "We have this promotional event, the American elections with us, so hopefully the film can be released in September." And regarding the attacks he has received, he commented: "If I were Trump, I would be sitting in my office in Florida or New York thinking, 'Fuck this liberal Iranian idiot, this is a conspiracy against me.' He is obsessed, but if he saw the film I don't think he would despise it, I think he would be surprised. I would be happy to meet him and talk to him about my work."
On the genesis of the title, Abbasi clarified that it was not conceived with the intent of discrediting the figure of Trump, but to show what happens when the mechanisms of power act on politics : "It's not a film about Donald Trump, it's a film about the system and how power acts on the system. Roy Cohn was an expert in using this system. If there is an ideology that underlies the film, it is human ideology."
As mentioned, after the standing ovation of over eleven minutes received by critics at Cannes, “The Apprentice” triggered a prompt response from the tycoon, who through a spokesperson threatened immediate legal repercussions against those responsible for the film: «We will be filing a lawsuit to address the patently false claims of these fake filmmakers. This garbage is pure fiction that sensationalizes lies that have long been debunked. As with Biden’s illegal trial, this is election interference by Hollywood elites, who know that President Trump will retake the White House and beat their favorite candidate because nothing they have done has worked».
Attempts to stop its distribution have so far been unsuccessful, and the film is still aiming to debut around the time of the US elections. Scheduled for October 11, its release is particularly opposed by the financiers of Kinematics, the film investment company chaired by billionaire Dan Snyder, who, in support of Trump, has criticized above all the choice to include the rape scene in the final edit.
As reported by Deadline, the goal at the moment is to find an agreement between the parties involved and allow the title, if nothing else, to present itself at the next film festivals. In addition to the American one, the distribution in international markets is also expected for October, so developments and confirmations are expected in this direction as well. With Sebastian Stan as the protagonist, Marvel's Winter Soldier ready to debut next year in the cinecomic "Thunderbolts*", the work to get into the shoes of the protagonist was quite troubled, requiring months of absolute commitment and a dedication bordering on obsessive: "To prepare for the role I lived with him for months, I listened to all his speeches on my cell phone, I was so obsessed that at a certain point I tried to distance myself". On the good intentions for the release of the film, the star said: "I think it's up to the audience to watch the film and draw their own conclusions. I'm an actor and I'm lucky to collaborate with such talented directors. We have to take up the challenge, we have to have a perspective, we have to confront what is happening in the world. I think there is a lot to learn from this film."
