Briarcliff Entertainment is set to release “The Apprentice” on October 11 in theaters across the United States and Canada, strategically timed just weeks before the American electorate heads to the polls on November 5. This release schedule is significant as it aims to impact public opinion during a crucial election period.

“The Apprentice,” featuring Sebastian Stan in the role of a young Donald Trump, faced considerable challenges in garnering interest after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. However, Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in to distribute the film, ensuring its availability to audiences right before the election. Director Ali Abbasi, a Danish-Iranian filmmaker, emphasized the importance of releasing the film ahead of the election, believing it crucial for voters to see it before casting their ballots.

In early June, Abbasi expressed frustration on social media platform X, noting that major studios and distributors were reluctant to bid on the film. He suggested that influential figures in the industry were attempting to suppress its release. Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, responded on Friday by condemning the film’s release as an act of “election interference by Hollywood elites.” He went further to describe the film as “pure malicious defamation” and argued that it should not be seen by the public, disparagingly suggesting it belonged in a dumpster fire rather than even a discount movie store.

The film’s reception was also marred by potential legal threats. Following its Cannes debut in May, Cheung criticized “The Apprentice” as “pure fiction” and announced that the Trump team would pursue legal action against what he called “blatantly false assertions” made by the filmmakers.

“The Apprentice” delves into Donald Trump’s ascent within New York’s real estate sector, mentored by defense attorney Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. A controversial scene towards the end of the movie depicts Trump raping his wife, Ivana Trump, portrayed by Maria Bakalova. This depiction is rooted in a claim from Ivana Trump’s 1990 divorce deposition where she alleged that Trump raped her. Although Trump denied the allegation, and Ivana later clarified that she had felt violated but did not mean her claim literally.

Director Abbasi has indicated openness to dialogue with Trump and his campaign, proposing a private screening and discussion about the film’s context. He stated in May that he would be willing to meet Trump wherever he preferred for this conversation.

Briarcliff Entertainment, led by Tom Ortenberg, has a track record of distributing impactful films. Their previous releases include the 2022 documentary “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” and the Liam Neeson thriller “Memory.” Ortenberg’s experience at Lionsgate included the release of Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,” and as CEO of Open Road Films, he backed “Spotlight,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

For more updates on this story and other news from Scotland and beyond, sign up for our daily newsletter here.