‘The Apprentice’ Team Discusses Politics, Power, and Peril in Trump Biopic

It is not uncommon for a movie director to exhibit some nerves when introducing their film at a festival. But at the Telluride screening of his Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice,” director Ali Abbasi was visibly anxious. The screening marked the film’s first showing to a U.S. audience after its controversial premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, which garnered an 11-minute standing ovation but also drew legal threats from the Trump campaign.

“I don’t get nervous often but I am actually nervous,” said Abbasi, the Iranian-born director of “Holy Spider,” while addressing the Telluride crowd. “This [film] has been some years in the making, and now it’s coming back home to you guys.”

“The Apprentice” traces Trump’s ascent to fame and power in the 1970s and ’80s New York. Sebastian Stan plays Donald Trump, while Jeremy Strong portrays his ruthless attorney and mentor, Roy Cohn. Written by journalist Gabriel Sherman, based on his 2014 bestseller about late Fox News chief Roger Ailes, the film darkly and comically portrays Trump as a social climber under Cohn’s amoral tutelage, learning to wield power through aggressive attacks and media manipulation.

After its Cannes screening, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung labeled the film as “garbage” and “pure fiction” and threatened lawsuits to block its release. Nevertheless, Briarcliff Entertainment picked up the film for domestic distribution, aiming for a release less than a month before one of the most contentious presidential elections in U.S. history.

The morning after the Telluride screening, The Times interviewed Abbasi, Sherman, Stan, and Strong. They discussed the film’s journey, its challenges, and the impact they hope it will have during this fiercely divisive election season.

The interview revealed Abbasi’s intent behind the film. “This is not a political hit piece. This is a mirror intended to show an image of ourselves as a community,” Abbasi said, emphasizing the film’s exploration of complex characters. For him, the movie is an opportunity to examine the entrenched corruption within the American system.

Jeremy Strong added, “Every great movie is about a relationship,” referring to the relationship between Trump and Cohn. Strong noted the psychological and humanistic aspects of their bond, likening the film to a “monster movie” or a “Frankenstein movie,” epitomizing the origins of a particular mindset.

When asked about portraying a younger, more vulnerable Trump, Sebastian Stan shared his approach. He drew parallels between the script and “The Godfather Part II,” noting how it depicted the solidifying of Trump’s character. Stan’s performance focused on making Trump more relatable, highlighting his early vulnerabilities and eventual transformation.

Abbasi and Sherman both acknowledged the film’s controversial elements, including a scene depicting Trump raping his wife Ivana. Sherman defended the inclusion, pointing out Trump’s history of sexual assault allegations and emphasizing the need to portray all facets of his character honestly.

The filmmakers also discussed the timing of the release, with Abbasi noting the film’s long development process, beginning in 2018. Sherman revealed how obtaining financing was challenging, with some Hollywood executives showing interest only if Trump lost the election.

Addressing the potential backlash from Trump supporters, Strong asserted that their role as artists is to hold a mirror up to nature, despite risks. He stressed the importance of art speaking the truth in an era of “alternative facts and fantasy.” Abbasi shared similar sentiments from his experience with his previous film, “Holy Spider,” underscoring the inherent risks involved.

Ultimately, Abbasi expressed a sense of resolve. “We are riding on the back of the dragon. There’s no way to control the dragon. So let’s enjoy the ride at least as much as we can.” He emphasized the film’s complexity beyond political messages, hoping audiences will appreciate its depth regardless of their political stance.

“You know how ‘Barbie’ worked, right? They said, ‘If you love Barbie, it’s a movie for you. If you hate Barbie, it’s a movie for you.’ So we say the same thing. If you love Trump, it’s a movie for you. If you hate Trump, it’s also a movie for you.”

Source: Los Angeles Times