'The Apprentice,' a film that critically examines Donald Trump's rise as a real estate mogul in the 70s and 80s, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received an 8-minute standing ovation. The film's provocative scenes and powerful performances have made headlines.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival continues to be a hub of cinematic excellence and controversy. Among the films receiving extensive applause is 'The Apprentice,' which had its debut last night.
Directed by Ali Abbasi and starring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, 'The Apprentice' delves into Trump's life before his political career, focusing on his time as a real estate magnate in 1970s and 80s New York. The film features notable actors such as Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, and Martin Donovan.
Sebastian Stan portrays Donald Trump.
Jeremy Strong plays Roy Cohn.
Maria Bakalova stars as Ivana Trump, Trump's first wife.
The film was completed just a day before its premiere, making its debut at Cannes highly anticipated. After the screening, it was met with an 8-minute standing ovation from the audience. Director Ali Abbasi emphasized the importance of making films politically relevant, stating, 'It's time to make films current again. It's time to make films political again. There's no beautiful way to deal with fascism.'
Variety describes the film as an explosive piece, highlighting scenes where Trump is depicted raping Ivana, collaborating with underworld figures during the construction of Trump Tower, using amphetamines for weight loss, and gambling in casinos. These intense portrayals have sparked significant discussion and controversy.
With the U.S. presidential elections approaching, the release of such a film could have considerable implications for Trump. Reports from Variety suggest that Trump's camp is preparing to file a lawsuit against the film.