Yesterday, the filmmakers behind the Donald Trump movie apprentice A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to assist with the film’s theatrical release in October, with a goal of raising $100,000. A day later, it had surpassed that goal, raising more than $139,000 for the campaign, dubbed “Launch.” apprentice”.
For a compelling film starring award-winning stars like Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival (albeit independently funded ), a Kickstarter campaign was not the first choice. but apprentice It was a long and difficult journey to the cinema.
The film’s potential release has been mired in uncertainty since it premiered at film festivals. Pro-Trump billionaire Dan Snyder, whose kinesiology company provided equity in the film against the domestic right, is reportedly unhappy with the film’s depiction of Trump dissatisfied and tried to prevent the release. After the film premiered in Cannes, Trump’s lawyers issued a cease-and-desist letter in an attempt to block the film’s release.
apprentice, Director Ali Abbasi, Explore the rise to power of Donald Trump (Stan) in 1980s America under the influence of firebrand right-wing lawyer Roy Cohn (Strong). Scenes that reportedly outraged the former president and his supporters include one in which he raped his first wife, Ivana, and one in which Trump underwent liposuction.
Ahead of the film’s screening at the Telluride Film Festival, reports emerged that Briarcliff Entertainment would distribute apprenticeOctober 11th.
After several months of ups and downs, apprentice Producers Daniel Beckman and Amy Bell interviewed hollywood reporter On Trump’s threats, the Kickstarter campaign and their hopes for the film.
You all have reported distribution deals, why are you running a Kickstarter campaign?
Amy Bell Let me start by saying we haven’t done this in a long time. And then, for a variety of reasons, we weren’t sure we could do a deal with Briarcliff. I have to give Dan the credit for that because we started talking about [distribution] While making it, I felt the interest in the film, the direction of the country, and what was happening with the election. Dan started telling me that there was a grassroots approach to getting people excited about the movie. [The Kickstarter] Having the marketing and amplification capabilities became a financial necessity, certainly for a few months. We don’t know if there will be a distributor, and we want to do everything we can to make sure the film is seen by audiences.
Daniel Beckman It’s something we’ve been talking about all winter because we know this movie might appeal to audiences in unconventional ways. When we premiered the film in Cannes, we all felt really good after the screening. Then one of our actors showed me on his phone a very public threat from the Donald Trump campaign, threatening us and threatening any distributor who dared try to bring this film to audiences. We were like, “We need to be ready to take a really independent approach.” I’d never really done a Kickstarter or crowdfunding campaign related to a film. In a way, this is counterintuitive because the movie is already so high-profile that it’s weird. Things are strange all around. But in the face of the pressure of Trump’s threats, we must have a way to deal with it. We cannot rely on all the big companies. We had to find a feasible way to bring this film to audiences at the right time, and we needed some agents along the way.
What will the money be used for? Marketing? Acquiring theaters?
Beckman All of this involves getting the movie out as widely and for as long as possible. There’s a lot that goes into that, and there’s a lot of cost associated with booking theaters, and the marketing spend that goes into getting those theaters.
Bell and compete in the market. This is a very competitive fall. There are so many great films coming to market over the next two months and we want to do everything we can to make sure we have the resources to amplify The movie is coming out soon and will be playing in theaters as soon as we get there.
Therefore, these funds will be used in conjunction with Briarcliff’s planned October 11 launch date.
Bell Correct.
Outside of Kickstarter, Kinematic announced it was withdrawing from the project due to “creative differences.” What are these differences?
Bell What we’re trying to say is that they were instrumental in the making of the film, and that’s true. We understand their differences and we appreciate the roles they play. I don’t think we really want to discuss this further.
Taking a step back, what did you hear from potential distributors after the Cannes Film Festival screening?
Beckman There was a lot of anticipation for the film, and the reaction from everyone in the company was almost universally very positive about the film, but there’s no question that the threat from Trump impacted the likelihood of our distribution choices. While situations vary, Amy and I hear these threats all the time as a real concern. Whether you run a large or medium-sized company, everyone has to focus on their own business; I’m actually not jealous. But the fact is that most [companies] Not necessarily ready for that kind of challenge.
Do you think Hollywood as a whole is moving away from more political content?
Bell I don’t know that I would say they shy away from political content. What’s unique about our situation is that it’s a real-life person who likes to control the narrative. We all sometimes say to ourselves, “Oh, I wonder what would have happened.” But I think we are creative people first and foremost and we are telling a fictional story. That’s really the line that we’re trying to maintain and expand on. We really want people to see the film as a work of art and a work of fiction and make them think. That’s what the best political movies can do. But it happens that we are dealing with a larger-than-life figure who threatens to overwhelm the conversation.
Was it important for you and your fellow filmmakers to release the film before the election?
Bell The only thing I have to say is Gabe [Sherman, The Apprentice writer] I started developing this seven years ago. I can tell you honestly and with certainty that there was never any agenda.
Beckman We wish we could have planned everything so carefully. But the fact is that getting the movie off the ground is a long process. The only thing to say is that when you premiere a film in Cannes, you usually want to release it publicly in the fall.
I see apprentice This is a very unique situation, but what advice would you give to filmmakers who might be facing similar obstacles to your film?
Bell I’m married to a filmmaker, and in the process, I sometimes bang my head against the wall, [he] Say, “Well, it’s being produced.” Part of the journey as a producer is you have to see it when others don’t. In my career, I’ve never been afraid of being the only person in the room who likes something when no one else likes it. Obviously we don’t know yet how the movie will perform. We still have six weeks before we know that, but I’m certainly very proud of the film and I think we all believe in what it’s about. It’s a cultural conversation, and to me, that’s why I wanted to make this film. So I think there’s no reason for young producers not to take on something that’s challenging or difficult. You just need to be clear about its vision.
Beckman What seems to have worked for me in my business and career is that I don’t actually follow what the market tells me to do. This may mean that you continue to move forward with a project without a clear distribution path. But frankly, if you do your job correctly, because you truly know what the value of your project is, you will find that path.
The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
