Ali Abbasi’s film, “The Apprentice,” which portrays the early years of Donald Trump, has found a distributor in Briarcliff Entertainment and is set for a theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada on October 11, just weeks before the November 5 presidential election. Starring Sebastian Stan as a young Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival but initially struggled to secure interest due to its controversial subject matter and the threat of legal action. However, Abbasi has expressed his intent to bring the film to the public before voters head to the polls, stating, “for some reason certain power people in your country don’t want you to see it!!!”
The film’s acquisition by Briarcliff Entertainment, an indie distributor led by Tom Ortenberg, paves the way for an awards campaign and broader audience exposure. Known for its previous releases like “Memory” and “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” Briarcliff aims to present “The Apprentice” at various fall film festivals leading up to its official release, hoping to shape public discourse ahead of the election.
Political Reactions and Legal Threats
The Trump campaign has responded strongly to the film’s upcoming release, calling it “election interference by Hollywood elites.” Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, criticized the film as “pure malicious defamation” and threatened legal action, stating that it “belongs in a dumpster fire.” This reaction is in line with earlier statements following the film’s Cannes premiere, where the Trump team condemned it as “pure fiction” and vowed to address “blatantly false assertions” through legal avenues.
Despite the backlash, Abbasi has offered to meet with Trump and his campaign to discuss the movie’s context, even suggesting a private screening. He noted that Trump might not dislike the film, stating, “I would offer to go and meet him wherever he wants and talk about the context of the movie.”
Critical Reception and Awards Campaign
“The Apprentice” has generated mixed reactions from critics, with some appreciating its exploration of Trump’s rise to power and the influence of Roy Cohn. At its Cannes debut, the film was reviewed as a “hot potato” due to its provocative content, but it still managed to earn a 77 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. THR’s David Rooney highlighted the film’s portrayal of the “toxicity” in contemporary politics, rooted in the relationship between Trump and Cohn, giving it a largely positive review.
Briarcliff Entertainment and Rich Spirit, the film’s co-producer, are planning a robust awards campaign similar to those executed by Ortenberg during his time at Lionsgate and Open Road. The film’s release strategy mirrors past successful campaigns, such as those for “Crash” and “Spotlight,” both of which won Best Picture at the Oscars.
Read More: “The Apprentice” Set for Pre-Election Release Amid Controversy
With its strategic release date, “The Apprentice” aims to influence public perception in the weeks leading up to the presidential election. The film’s narrative, focusing on Trump’s controversial rise in New York real estate and his complicated relationships, could impact voter sentiment and add a new dimension to the ongoing political discourse. Whether it succeeds in making a significant impact remains to be seen, but Abbasi and his team are determined to bring their story to the forefront of political dialogue in the U.S.