A new film titled “The Apprentice,” directed by Ali Abbasi, will not be shown in Russian movie theaters after its local distributor, Atmosfera Kino, failed to receive a screening license from the authorities. The release date for the film was initially set for last month but was pushed back to November 14 for unknown reasons. The distributor confirmed that the film will not be released in Russia due to the lack of a distribution license, without providing further details about the decision.
The film portrays Donald Trump as a young man under the mentorship of notorious New York lawyer Roy Cohn and opened in U.S. movie theaters last month after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May. One of the controversial scenes in the film depicts Trump, portrayed by actor Sebastian Stan, raping his first wife, Ivana, after she mocks him for gaining weight and going bald. This scene is a fictionalized account of an alleged 1989 incident that was previously mentioned in the couple’s divorce proceedings.
Following the release of “The Apprentice,” Trump criticized the film as a “cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job” and expressed his hope that it would not perform well at the box office. His lawyers have indicated their intentions to sue the film’s producers, labeling the film as “garbage” and “pure malicious defamation.” Despite the backlash from Trump and his legal team, the film received some positive reception and was featured at a documentary film festival in St. Petersburg before being ultimately banned in Russia.
The decision to ban the film in Russia adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding its portrayal of Trump and the allegations made against him. While the film generated discussions and debates about its accuracy and depiction of the former president, it also faced backlash and criticism from Trump supporters and his legal team. The ban on the film in Russia highlights the challenges faced by filmmakers and distributors in navigating censorship and restrictions imposed by authorities in different countries.
Overall, the banning of “The Apprentice” in Russian movie theaters underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the portrayal of public figures in film and media. The decision to censor the film raises questions about freedom of expression, artistic interpretation, and the role of government authorities in controlling access to certain content. Despite facing obstacles and opposition, “The Apprentice” has sparked important conversations about accountability, honesty, and the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers and storytellers in portraying real-life events and individuals.
