We’ve seen plenty of Kickstarter campaigns to make or even finish the production of a movie. But we don’t think we’ve ever seen one to extend a film’s theatrical run. Now, the team behind the Donald Trump–based biographical drama “The Apprentice,” is doing just that.
A new Kickstarter called “Release the Apprentice” has been launched, to “keep the film in as many theaters for as long as possible.” The film is finished, already premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and is slated to open in theaters on October 11th. This extra fundraising is just to keep it in cinemas for as long as they can.
“‘The Apprentice’ is first and foremost humanist, which makes it radically different from all the political noise,” said Amy Baer, executive producer.
“Despite the integrity of the film and without even seeing it, Trump’s campaign sought to suppress it,” adds producer Dan Bekerman. “The idea that artists can no longer freely criticize the powerful should concern us all. We need your help to resoundingly reject this dangerous precedent.”
“The Apprentice”
The film is directed by Ali Abbasi with Sebastian Stan starring as Trump. “The Apprentice” takes place during the 1970s in the early years of Trump’s business career. Centering mostly around his relationship with New York City prosecutor Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).
It has already stirred up some major controversy around a scene in which Trump rapes his then-wife Ivana (Maria Bakalova). Along with scenes of him taking amphetamines and having surgery on a bald spot. This has led to criticism from his team including threats of legal action. “This garbage is pure fiction,” says Steven Cheung, Trump Campaign spokesperson. The campaign has since ceased any attempt to block the film’s release.
“The Apprentice” will hit theaters on October 11th. You can check out the Kickstarter here.
