At the Cannes press conference for the movie “The Apprentice,” filmmaker Ali Abbasi found himself facing questions about the legal threats made by Donald Trump’s campaign following the film’s world premiere at the festival. Despite receiving an 11-minute standing ovation at the Grand Theatre Lumiere, the Trump campaign’s Steven Cheung declared that they would be filing a lawsuit to address what they called “blatantly false assertions from these pretend filmmakers.” The movie itself follows the rise of a young 1980s Donald J. Trump, portrayed by Sebastian Stan, as a real estate baron and his association with ruthless attorney Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong.
Allegations of Fiction and Election Interference
In response to the legal threats, Ali Abbasi emphasized that the movie is not intended as a piece that Trump would necessarily dislike, nor would he particularly like it. However, Abbasi expressed that he believes Trump might be surprised by the film. The producer, Daniel Berkman, extended an invitation for them to see the movie, suggesting that they reserve judgment until then. The film contains a particularly controversial scene depicting a rape involving Trump and his then-wife, Ivana Trump, portrayed by Bakalova. The assault had been previously discussed by Ivana but she later recanted the incident before her death in 2022.
Cheung dismissed the film as pure fiction, reiterating that the claims presented had long been debunked. He tied the movie’s release to election interference by Hollywood elites with the intent to undermine Trump’s presidential campaign. Abbasi, while remaining neutral on the distributor of the film, suggested that a release date close to the second Presidential Debate on September 15th would be fitting.
Trump’s Legal Troubles and Broadway Commitment
As Trump faces various legal challenges and an ongoing hush-money trial in NYC, the film’s lead actor Jeremy Strong was unable to attend the press conference due to his Broadway role. He sent a statement expressing how the words “Enemy of the People,” a reference to his character in the play “An Enemy of the People,” had been echoed by Trump. Abbasi clarified that the film is not solely about Donald Trump but rather focuses on the broader system and power dynamics within it. He highlighted the influence of Roy Cohn, an expert in utilizing the system, on Trump’s rise to power.
Abbasi concluded with a reflection on the perceived divide between conservatives and liberals in the United States, dismissing it as a fantasy. He pointed out that many influential individuals from both sides of the political spectrum often intersect at various events and institutions. This observation aimed to underscore the nuanced relationships and power dynamics that exist within the American political landscape.
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