Hollywood’s Reluctance and a Risky Film: Ali Abbasi’s Challenges

As the clock nears midnight in Toronto, Ali Abbasi, director of “The Apprentice,” reflects on the industry’s reluctance to embrace risk. Sitting with Tom Ortenberg of Briarcliff Entertainment and producer James Chaney in the bar of the Four Seasons Hotel, Abbasi criticizes Hollywood’s caution, noting that studio heads have admitted to not taking enough risks. Abbasi’s film, which stars Sebastian Stan as a younger Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival after debuting at Cannes in May but failed to secure American distribution.

 A Deal and a Defeat: Securing Distribution Against the Odds

Last week, Briarcliff Entertainment and Rich Spirit reached an agreement to distribute Abbasi’s film, set to release in 2,000 theaters on October 11, just before the November election. Despite the triumph of securing the deal, Abbasi views Hollywood’s initial rejection as a form of censorship. The Iranian-Danish director, known for his provocative film “Holy Spider,” finds it disheartening that his film about Trump, intended to be a cultural commentary, faced such resistance in what he thought would be a free market.

 Hollywood’s Fear and Film’s Evolution

Abbasi reveals that Hollywood’s reluctance stemmed from fears of backlash, with studios worried about alienating audiences or facing repercussions if Trump won or if the studio changed hands. Despite initial interest, the project’s momentum faltered significantly after the January 6 Capitol riots, leading to multiple setbacks and rejections. Abbasi’s film, which took six years to make, was originally intended as an exploration of Trump as a significant cultural figure, akin to icons like Andy Warhol or Muhammad Ali.

 A Balanced Portrayal and Trump’s Reaction

Despite the film’s critical reception, Abbasi insists it is not overtly anti-Trump. Dan Snyder, a conservative financier, even sold his stake due to unexpected critical elements. Abbasi describes the film as a portrayal of Trump as a quintessentially American figure rather than an outright condemnation. He noted that Trump had sent a letter requesting a halt to the film’s production, but Abbasi had not yet seen it. Curious about Trump’s perspective, Abbasi expressed a desire to watch the film with Trump and address any questions directly.