This decision followed mounting legal threats and distributor hesitancy, especially from Donald Trump and his supporters, who objected to the film’s portrayal of the former president. The movie, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and stars Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, delves into Trump’s rise to power in 1980s America.
Despite having a distribution deal with Briarcliff Entertainment for an October 11 release, Bekerman and Baer launched the Kickstarter campaign, “Release The Apprentice,” to raise $100,000 for the theatrical rollout. In just a day, the campaign exceeded its goal, amassing over $139,000. The filmmakers explained that they needed the additional funding for marketing, securing theaters, and ensuring the film could compete in a packed fall movie season.
Initially, the film faced roadblocks after its Cannes premiere. Kinematics, the company that provided funding for the project, had creative disagreements, especially after receiving threats from Trump’s legal team, leading Kinematics to exit the project. The legal threats centered on scenes in the movie, including a depiction of Trump assaulting his first wife, Ivana, and undergoing liposuction—both of which Trump’s team sought to block.
The Kickstarter campaign wasn’t just about financial support but also ensuring the film had an independent distribution path. As Bekerman noted, threats from Trump’s team scared off some potential distributors, making it necessary for the producers to explore alternative release strategies. Bekerman admitted that the decision to crowdfund was unusual given the film’s high profile, but the challenges posed by Trump’s interference made it a viable option.
Baer highlighted that the funds raised through Kickstarter would supplement Briarcliff’s efforts, ensuring the film was widely seen and supported. While Briarcliff manages the broader distribution, the producers emphasized the importance of using the funds to compete in a crowded marketplace, promoting the film alongside other major fall releases.
When asked about Kinematics’ departure from the project, Baer praised the company for its early support but avoided delving into the specifics of their “creative differences.” However, it was clear that Trump’s displeasure and subsequent legal threats played a significant role in Kinematics’ decision to walk away.
The film’s reception at Cannes was mostly positive, but the post-premiere atmosphere shifted when Trump’s public threats against the project emerged. Bekerman described how one of the cast members alerted him to the threats, which made it clear that they would need a backup plan to navigate the legal pressure from Trump’s team. This unpredictability, paired with the lack of confidence from major distributors, underscored the importance of having a Kickstarter to keep the film on track for release.
As for whether Hollywood is avoiding political content, Baer suggested that while political films are still made, The Apprentice stands out because it centers on a real-life figure who is known for controlling his narrative. This made the process uniquely challenging, but the producers maintained that their goal was to tell a compelling story that would spark conversation, not push a political agenda.
The team behind The Apprentice had been developing the project for seven years, with no specific agenda related to the upcoming election. Still, the timing of the release—a few weeks before Election Day—has added to the film’s relevance. Despite this, Baer and Bekerman insist the film’s release schedule was not meticulously planned to coincide with the election, but rather stemmed from a standard timeline following its Cannes debut.
Ultimately, Bekerman and Baer remain proud of the film and hopeful about its impact. Baer encourages aspiring producers to take on challenging projects and stick with their vision, even when obstacles arise. Bekerman echoed this sentiment, noting that staying true to the value of a project will eventually help it find its audience.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
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