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The 2024 Cannes Film Festival saw an unexpected star in “The Apprentice,” a film delving into the enigmatic persona of Donald Trump during the 1970s and 1980s. While the movie received accolades from critics and an 11-minute applause, not everyone was cheering. Predictably, Trump’s camp fired back, even hinting at potential legal action.
Starring Sebastian Stan, known for “Pam and Tommy,” the film has kept its content under wraps, with no public trailer or footage available. Nevertheless, its reception at Cannes has been resoundingly positive. However, Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, was quick to condemn the film, labeling its creators as “pretend filmmakers” and threatening legal repercussions. Cheung’s bold claims insinuate political motives behind the film’s production, alleging election interference by Hollywood elites.
The controversy appears to center around a scene involving allegations made by Trump’s first wife, Ivana, regarding sexual assault. The inclusion of such sensitive material has raised the ire of Trump’s team, prompting their retaliatory stance.
Despite the looming threat of legal action, director Ali Abbasi remains unfazed. In response to Trump’s spokesperson, Abbasi humorously pointed out Trump’s litigious history and expressed openness to dialogue with the former president. While the film awaits distribution and an official release date, it seems unlikely that Trump and his team will be among the eager viewers, given their dismissive stance towards its legitimacy.