Donald Trump biopic 'The Apprentice': Reviews, storyline, controversies and all you need to know

As was anticipated, Ali Abbasi, Sebastian Stan, Martin Donovan and Maria Bakalova walked the Cannes red carpet for the premiere of 'The Apprentice', a political drama, based on the life of former US President Donald Trump, who is gearing up to contest the 2024 US Presidential Election. After the film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, it received a wild standing ovation for almost eight minutes. Stan received the loudest applause for his transformative performance as Trump.

The audience cheered and clapped for long. Director Abbasi warmly hugged his cast members. Cate Blanchett, sitting just in front of the director and crew, jumped up and applauded, and embraced Bakalova.

'The Apprentice' triggers controversy

But the film triggered a massive controversy as well. The love-making scene between Trump and his wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) has triggered controversy and it has been termed as 'rape'.


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According to 'Variety', Ivana presents a book to her husband Donald Trump about the merits of a female orgasm. But Trump told her that he was no more interested in her and the interaction turned dark. At the end of the interaction, Trump throws her to the ground and angrily thrusts himself into her. He asks, "Is that your G spot? Did I find it?" People coming out of the theater said that it was inconsensual sex and so it can be described as 'rape'.

'The Apprentice': Director, Writer

Acclaimed Iranian-Danish filmmaker Abbasi has directed and Gabe Sherma has written 'The Apprentice'. The film explores the rise of Donald Trump, the US politics of the 1980s and the society of the time. 'Succession' star Strong plays firebrand rightwing attorney Roy Cohn. Martin Donovan has featured as Fred Trump Sr. and Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.

Addressing the audience, Abbasi talked about the current world scenario such as the war in Ukraine and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. He explained how “in the time of turmoil there’s this tendency to look inwards” and “to bury your head deep in the sand and look inside and hope for the best.”

FAQs

Who has directed 'The Apprentice'?
Acclaimed Iranian-Danish filmmaker Abbasi has directed and Gabe Sherma has written 'The Apprentice'.

How has 'The Apprentice' created a controversy?
But the film triggered a massive controversy as well. The love-making scene between Trump and his wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova) has triggered controversy and it has been termed as 'rape'.