Trump Biopic “The Apprentice” Premieres at Cannes, Earns Eight-Minute Ovation

Donald Trump’s biopic, “The Apprentice,” debuted at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on Monday, receiving attendees’ rousing eight-minute standing ovation.

The film, starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump, chronicles the future president’s ascent as a New York businessman during the 1980s under the mentorship of his attorney, Roy Cohn, portrayed by Jeremy Strong.

Directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi and penned by Gabe Sherman, “The Apprentice” stirred significant buzz at Cannes with its bold portrayals and dramatic narrative. The film includes controversial scenes such as the alleged rape of Trump’s first wife, Ivana, and a graphic depiction of Trump undergoing liposuction.

As the final credits rolled, the audience’s response was overwhelmingly positive, particularly praising Stan’s transformative portrayal of Trump. “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Baccara added a distinctive touch to the film’s conclusion. While the applause extended for nearly eight minutes, some attendees began to leave around the four-minute mark.

Despite its impactful premiere, “The Apprentice” lacks a U.S. distributor. However, it has secured a deal with StudioCanal for distribution in the U.K. and Ireland, with plans for a theatrical release later in the year.