Go off, king!
The U.K. debut of The Apprentice took place at the BFI London Film Festival, and with the U.S. elections just a short nineteen days away, political inquiries were inevitable. The Hollywood Reporter engaged in just that.
During the event, they inquired whether Stan believed the film could influence voters in favor of Trump. His reply, “I don’t know,” was a reasonable one; after all, he is an actor and not a political analyst.
Nonetheless, he added:
If you harbor any curiosity, take a moment to genuinely question: ‘Who is this individual? Are you truly familiar with him? Do you trust him to lead a nation?’ He’s attempted to suppress this film while proclaiming his support for free speech… I find it incredibly hypocritical. Ultimately, the focus should be on him as a person. Set aside the politics and trust your instincts: Do you have faith in him? That’s essentially what the film explores.
And honestly, he has a point. Setting aside political affiliations for a moment allows us to scrutinize Trump’s character more closely, which should drive our conclusions. Stan’s candid critique is commendable, particularly considering his own history of fleeing Romania with his mother as a child. Since the news of The Apprentice was first revealed, some have unjustly assumed that Stan’s involvement suggests he is sympathetic to Trump; such a binary interpretation ignores the numerous risks Stan has embraced throughout his career.
Is this film flawless? Certainly not. Many biographical films grapple with the potential to inadvertently foster sympathy for their subjects, as viewers naturally tend to identify with what they see on screen. There is some leniency regarding Trump’s true legacy, especially in light of his presidency being untouched in the narrative. However, in my view, the vocal opposition from the cast and creative minds behind the project speaks volumes.
Public figures often have a significant influence, and it’s a reality we cannot disregard. I hope that Stan continues to express his thoughts frankly throughout the promotional journey for this film. Witnessing Donald Trump’s ongoing reactions to this “classless” movie is indeed an entertaining spectacle.
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