‘The Apprentice’ Filmmakers Invite Trump to Screening Amid Blind Criticism

On Sunday morning, just hours after the North American premiere of The Apprentice — a film exploring the relationship between Donald Trump and his mentor Roy Cohn — the principal creators gathered for their first U.S. interview. Director Ali Abbasi, writer Gabriel Sherman, and stars Sebastian Stan (Trump) and Jeremy Strong (Cohn), discussed their excitement and relief over the film’s warm reception and successful American debut.

The film had faced considerable challenges since its world premiere at the Cannes Festival three months ago. Legal threats from the Trump campaign and resistance from the film’s principal financial backer, a Trump ally, nearly halted its release. A breakthrough came on Friday when Tom Ortenberg’s Briarcliff Entertainment and James Shani’s Rich Spirit bought out the financier’s interest, clearing the path for a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 11, just weeks before the presidential election.

How close did we come to this film not being here at this festival?

STRONG: What are we allowed to say?

ABBASI: Don’t put me in this spot. [laughs]

STRONG: I’ll say it wasn’t a given by any means.

SHERMAN: Nothing in Hollywood is a sure thing. We’re just so happy it’s here.

STRONG: A lot of people worked really hard to get us here.

The first U.S. screening took place last night, months after its Cannes debut. Abbasi revealed his nerves before the screening, describing his apprehension as if he were presenting a film about neurosurgery to neurosurgeons. He felt emotional introducing the film, recognizing the high stakes and the luxury he had as an outsider living in Europe, able to see the U.S. political landscape without directly facing its consequences.

ABBASI: Maybe [I can go home]. With this movie, we tried to defy the expectation that it’s simply “a Trump movie.” It’s a story about the American political system and how Roy Cohn created Trump in his own image. I’m excited it’s coming out before the election but even if it came out later, it would still be relevant.

SHERMAN: The idea of the script came from my coverage of Trump’s 2016 campaign, wanting to understand how he came to be. People saw him as either a savior or a villain, but the curiosity was to explore the question: “How did this happen?”

SHERMAN: It’s not a documentary; it’s a work of art based on real events and rigorous research. We aimed for the most emotionally true version of the story. Ivana’s statements during their divorce, given under oath, felt the truest.

STRONG: My approach wasn’t political but humanistic, trying to understand and depict the human experience. The film attempts to capture the pressures that shaped Trump.

ABBASI: Being an outsider, I hoped to see American culture without biases. I’m interested in exploring humanity in unexpected places.

SHERMAN: The allure of infamous individuals like Trump and Cohn, often embraced by high society, is a theme in our film. They were seen as entertaining until Trump became president, serving as a cautionary tale.

STRONG: Demonizing anyone leads to divisiveness. Our goal is understanding, which is much needed now.

STAN: I’ve had Republican friends excited about the film. I was committed to working with Ali and Jeremy, knowing it would be a partnership.

STRONG: It was creatively fulfilling working with Sebastian. We aimed for transformation and risk, focusing on the creative aspect.

ABBASI: The film, aside from its political implications, offers incredible performances, a good tempo, and a well-coordinated sound design. It’s meant to be appreciated as a movie experience.

STAN: The film had many starts and stops, giving more time for preparation. The challenge was ensuring the right prosthetics and getting into character.

STRONG: Preparation was key to fully embody the character. Watching Sebastian on set reassured me that the film would work.

STRONG: We met before production to discuss our characters and dynamics, crucial for the partnership portrayed in the film.

SHERMAN: The cast and crew believed in the film despite harsh conditions. It wasn’t a “Hollywood” production but an underdog story.

SHERMAN: Trump will likely see the film. His public reaction might be politically charged, but privately he may appreciate it.

ABBASI: I’d love to show him the movie. Despite his public persona, Trump might appreciate the film’s nuances.

SHERMAN: Trump loves cinema; he should appreciate this film.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter.