The Apprentice

The Apprentice, Ali Abbasi’s Cannes premiere that explores Donald Trump’s formative relationship with fixer Roy Cohn, will open in the US on October 11 through Briarcliff Entertainment prior to the November presidential election, it is understood.

Release Plans

Reports that Briarcliff, which was first linked to the film in June, is moving ahead with the release and planning an awards push came amid speculation on Friday that the controversial film might be a surprise screening at Telluride Film Festival, which kicks off today and runs through September 2.

Briarcliff and Telluride had not replied to inquiries at time of writing. The Apprentice is scheduled to open in France through Metropolitan on October 9 and in the UK through Studiocanal on October 18.

Resolution with Financier

That a US release is going ahead suggests there has been some kind of resolution with Dan Snyder, the Trump donor and billionaire former owner of the Washington Commanders American Football team who owns a stake in Kinematics, the film’s financier.

Film Plot

The Apprentice depicts Trump’s growing friendship in the 1970s and 1980s with Cohn, a highly connected attorney and political player who takes the aspiring real estate mogul under his wing. Cohn died of AIDS In 1986.

Sensitive Scene

In one scene in the film, Trump is seen raping Ivana, his first wife, played by Maria Bakalova. Ivana Trump initially referred to the 1989 incident as rape, and spoke about it the couple’s divorce a year later. Several years later she said she did not want her words to be interpreted in a literal or criminal sense. She died in 2022.

Response to Criticism

In late May, shortly after the Cannes world premiere, lawyers for Trump sent a cease and desist letter to the filmmakers. The filmmakers shot back and said The Apprentice was “a fair and balanced portrait” of the former president, who is bidding to return to the White House in the November 5 presidential election.

Awards Season

While Telluride attendees await the identity of the Colorado festival’s surprise screening, Briarcliff head Tom Ortenberg will be planning the release.

He has experience with controversial films and awards season success, having handled Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 and Crash at Lionsgate, and Spotlight at Open Road. Fahrenheit 9/11 was a box office smash and the last two won the best picture Oscar.

Conclusion

The Apprentice has been embroiled in controversy since its premiere, but it appears that a US release is going ahead. The film will now compete for awards attention in the midst of the presidential election season.

FAQs

• What is the plot of The Apprentice?

The Apprentice is a film that explores Donald Trump’s formative relationship with fixer Roy Cohn in the 1970s and 1980s.

• Who stars in the film?

Sebastian Stan plays Donald Trump, and Jeremy Strong plays Roy Cohn.

• Is the film controversial?

Yes, the film depicts a sensitive scene involving Donald Trump and Ivana Trump, and has been embroiled in controversy since its premiere.

• Will the film compete in awards season?

Yes, the film will compete in awards season, with Briarcliff head Tom Ortenberg planning the release.