Ali Abbasi:

The Provocateur Behind "The Apprentice"

Ali Abbasi, the Danish-Iranian filmmaker, has carved a reputation for challenging audiences with thought-provoking and often unsettling narratives. Born in Iran, Abbasi's career blossomed in Europe, where he explored themes of alienation, social critique, and the absurdity of human existence in films like "Border" and "Holy Spider."

His latest project, "The Apprentice," takes a sharp turn into biographical drama. Abbasi directs a scathing portrayal of Donald Trump's rise as a real estate mogul in 1970s and 80s New York City.

The Apprentice: A Look Behind the Deal

"The Apprentice" delves into the ruthless world of New York real estate, where ambition and ruthlessness often go hand-in-hand. The film follows a young Donald Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) as he navigates the cutthroat industry under the tutelage of the notorious lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).

Abbasi's focus isn't solely on Trump's business dealings. The scenario is likely to explore the formative experiences that shaped Trump's personality, his relationship with his father (potentially played by Martin Donovan), and the questionable ethics that fuelled his climb to success.

Speculative elements:

• The film might explore Trump's dealings with organized crime and allegations of racial discrimination in his business practices.
• Abbasi could also delve into Trump's personal life, showcasing the pressures and conflicts that may have influenced his public persona.

Wider context:

"The Apprentice" is bound to spark discussion. Given Abbasi's penchant for social commentary, the film is likely to be a critical examination of the American dream and the culture of excess that permeated the 1980s. It will be interesting to see how Abbasi portrays this pivotal period in American history and how it connects to the present political landscape.

Please note: Since the film is a recent release (2024), details about the exact plot specifics are not yet widely available. This essay offers a speculative analysis based on the film's title, director, and cast.

What was the deal between Bud-light and Disney?

There actually wasn't a deal between Bud Light and Disney. News outlets reported on both companies facing criticism around the same time for separate marketing decisions.

• Bud Light partnered with a transgender influencer, which some consumers found controversial.
• Disney partnered with a gender-fluid influencer to promote women's clothing, also drawing criticism.

These marketing choices were seen by some as attempts to be more socially progressive, but they backfired for both companies. This led to comparisons between the two situations, but there wasn't a collaboration between Bud Light and Disney.

 

Does this have any relevancy to the Film apprentice?

No, the controversy between Bud Light and Disney is not relevant to the film "The Apprentice" for a few reasons:

• Genre: "The Apprentice" is a biographical drama focused on Donald Trump's early career, while the Bud Light and Disney situation involves social media marketing decisions.
• Content: The film is likely to explore themes of ambition, power dynamics, and the real estate industry in the 1980s. The Bud Light and Disney controversy deals with influencer marketing and social commentary surrounding gender identity.
• Timing: "The Apprentice" is a recent release (2024) and wouldn't be influenced by a marketing controversy from earlier years.

While both situations involve companies facing criticism for their marketing choices, they are in entirely different industries and don't have any connection to the film's content or themes.