US presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign team threatened legal action, but has failed to stop "The Apprentice" from being released in cinemas before the US election.
The biographical drama was directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi and the screenplay was written by US journalist Gabriel Sherman.
The film, sharing its title with Trump’s former reality show, chronicles his rise in the New York real estate industry and explores his complex relationship with his mentor, lawyer Roy Cohn.
Trump allegedly ditched Cohn, who was instrumental in his success, after his AIDS diagnosis became public.
The movie does not paint a flattering picture of Trump. The opening credits state that although the event are based on real people and events, some events and names have been fictionalized for dramatic reasons.
Trump, played by Romanian-American actor Sebastian Stan, is portrayed as a greedy and unscrupulous figure willing to go to any lengths for power. One of the most disturbing scenes depicts the rape of his then-wife, Ivana.
While Ivana Trump’s divorce papers did allege rape, she later clarified that she did not mean it literally, describing her experience as feeling abused.
The film also showcases Trump undergoing liposuction and scalp surgery while taking diet pills which turned out to be amphetamines.
"The Apprentice" has its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May and its first viewing ended with an eight-minute standing ovation from the audience.
Following the release, Trump's campaign spokesman issued a statement saying that Trump would take legal action against the film and that it had made "blatantly false assertions," calling the production "garbage" and "pure fiction."
Sherman, speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, stated that his portrayal of Trump is based on real events. He noted that many producers initially rejected the film idea, claiming it would be impossible to make in Hollywood. It was ultimately filmed in Canada.
The film emphasizes Cohn’s influence on Trump, who instructs the young millionaire’s son in "three rules of winning."
"The first rule is: attack, attack, attack," Cohn says. "Rule two: admit nothing, deny everything."
"Rule three: no matter what happens, you claim victory and never admit defeat."
The narrative highlights the profound influence Cohn had on Trump while drawing parallels to Trump’s distinct political style.
Sherman, who has conducted multiple interviews with Trump during his career, also spoke to White House sources, close associates of Trump, and former colleagues of Cohn for the film.
Sherman said when people think of Trump, they envision this "machine of outrage," this hateful, divisive figure, almost like an actor playing a role — one he has portrayed for so long that it has become his identity.
However, "The Apprentice" does not depict the young Trump devoid of empathy.
Stan’s performance captures Trump’s ambition and insecurity, revealing his deep need for the approval of his father and those around him.
Cohn, chillingly embodied by Jeremy Strong of “Succession,” shapes Trump’s later persona, ultimately losing control over the monster he has helped to create.
For a long time, the film's US release date was uncertain, as major studios were reluctant to distribute it. Eventually, Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in as the US distributor.
It's unclear what, if any, impact "The Apprentice" will have on the November 5 election, but Abbasi has certainly crafted an engaging fictional narrative that invites viewers to explore a significant chapter in Trump’s life.
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