A captivating still from the film “The Apprentice,” which made its grand debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, has been making waves across the cinematic landscape. Mongrel Media and the Cannes Film Festival have jointly brought this controversial piece to the forefront.

Circle October 11 on your calendar for a major cinematic event: the U.S. release of “The Apprentice,” a biographical drama about Donald Trump that has already sparked considerable buzz since its premiere at Cannes in May. Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired the theatrical distribution rights, setting the stage for a nationwide release less than a month before the presidential election, ensuring it becomes a focal point of pre-election discussions.

Prior to its stateside debut, “The Apprentice” is expected to surprise audiences at the Telluride Film Festival, which began last Friday. The film features Sebastian Stan portraying the real estate mogul turned reality TV sensation and politician, alongside Jeremy Strong who plays Trump’s infamous attorney and mentor, Roy Cohn. This unexpected addition will grant North American viewers an early glimpse into this contentious biopic.

Directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi, known for “Holy Spider,” “The Apprentice” delves into Trump’s aggressive ascent to power in 1970s and ’80s New York. Premiering in competition at Cannes, the film ignited immediate controversy with its stark portrayal. According to The Times, the film is “hypnotically trashy,” depicting Trump as a morally dubious social climber who betrays his alcoholic brother, assaults his first wife Ivana (played by Maria Bakalova), and undergoes cosmetic surgeries for hair loss.

The film’s release was met with vehement opposition from Trump’s camp. Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, condemned the film as “garbage” and “pure fiction,” threatening legal action to prevent its release. He derided it as “malicious defamation” unworthy of any screen time, even in the bargain bin of a closing discount movie store.

At Cannes, Abbasi defended his work during a news conference, asserting that it was essential to revive political discourse through cinema. He dismissed Trump’s legal threats, emphasizing that while Trump frequently sues people, his success rate is often overlooked.

Following its polarizing debut at Cannes, “The Apprentice” secured distribution deals across Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia. However, in the United States, potential distributors hesitated, wary of backlash from Trump and his supporters. After protracted negotiations, Briarcliff Entertainment courageously took on the domestic distribution rights.

Telluride Film Festival is known for its element of surprise, often holding back a few titles to reveal later. “The Apprentice” is poised to add significant weight to an already politically charged lineup. This year’s festival features political heavyweights such as Hillary and Chelsea Clinton supporting the abortion rights documentary “Zurawski v Texas,” and Democratic strategist James Carville, subject of the new documentary “Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid!”

This charged atmosphere ensures “The Apprentice” will not only be a cinematic experience but also a pivotal moment in the cultural and political discourse leading up to the presidential election.

For more details and updates on this story, please refer to the official press releases and festival announcements.