“The Apprentice,” a film dramatizing Donald Trump’s rise through New York City real estate and his relationship with political power broker Roy Cohn, is set to be released in theaters by Briarcliff Entertainment on October 11. The movie stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Cohn, both delivering compelling performances. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it immediately sparked controversy and was denounced by the Trump campaign as “pure malicious defamation.”
The movie includes a dramatized scene depicting an alleged incident where Trump sexually assaulted his first wife, Ivana, portrayed by Maria Bakalova. Ivana Trump had previously accused Donald Trump of raping her in her 1990 divorce deposition, a claim that he has denied. The film’s director, Ali Abbasi, and writer, Gabriel Sherman, have both been vocal about their interest in exploring Trump’s past and his relationships with influential figures like Roy Cohn. Cohn, who died of AIDS-related complications in 1986, was a mentor to Trump and played a significant role in shaping his worldview.
Despite the Trump campaign’s threats of a lawsuit, Abbasi suggested that the former president should watch the film and engage in a conversation about its context. Briarcliff Entertainment, the independent distributor behind the film, is no stranger to controversy, having previously released projects like “The Dissident,” a documentary about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and “Fahrenheit 11/9,” which examines the 2016 presidential election and the early years of Trump’s presidency.
The decision to release “The Apprentice” in the final stretch of the presidential election adds another layer of intrigue to the film’s narrative. With its focus on Trump’s early years in real estate and his connection to Roy Cohn, the movie is sure to reignite debates about the former president’s past and his controversial relationships. The film’s cast and crew have stood by their work, maintaining that it is a reflection of historical events and should be viewed as such.
Overall, “The Apprentice” promises to be a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of Donald Trump’s early years in New York City and his association with powerful figures like Roy Cohn. With a talented cast and experienced filmmakers behind the project, the movie is poised to make a significant impact when it hits theaters in October. Despite the controversy surrounding its release, “The Apprentice” is likely to generate discussion and debate as audiences grapple with its portrayal of a pivotal moment in American political history.
