In a bold move, director Ali Abbasi debuted his highly anticipated Donald Trump biopic, titled "The Apprentice," at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The film delves into the life of the 45th president, exploring his rise to prominence under the guidance of attorney Roy Cohn. However, the controversial depiction of Trump has already sparked a legal battle and a war of words between the filmmakers and Trump's campaign team.

Immediately following the film's screening, Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign communications director, issued a scathing statement denouncing the movie as "blatantly false" and "pure malicious defamation." Cheung expressed his vehement opposition to the film, stating that it should not even find a place in a bargain bin at a discount movie store, but rather in a dumpster fire.

Undeterred by the criticism, Abbasi remained unphased, joking about Trump's propensity for lawsuits during the film's press conference at Cannes. Producer Daniel Bekerman also urged Trump's team to actually watch the film before passing judgment, pointing out that their opinions were likely based on hearsay.

Abbasi further extended an invitation to Trump for a private screening and a conversation about the film, emphasizing that it serves as a critique of a broader system rather than simply targeting the 45th president himself. Abbasi argued that the movie explores the workings of power within the system, challenging the notion of a partisan divide between conservative and liberal elites in the United States.

"The Apprentice" does not shy away from presenting a controversial portrayal of Trump, highlighting his alleged social climbing, mistreatment of family members, and salacious personal behavior. The film has received attention for its unflinching approach to Trump's character, incorporating details such as liposuction, hair loss surgery, and erectile dysfunction, seemingly designed to aggravate the president's vanity.

The film's writer, Gabe Sherman, faced significant challenges in getting the project off the ground within Hollywood. Executives expressed skepticism, believing that audiences would not be interested in watching a movie focused on Donald Trump. Yet, the independent production managed to secure financing through Canadian, Danish, and Irish co-productions.

Despite the controversial subject matter, "The Apprentice" received attention at the Cannes Film Festival for its unique perspective and exploration of bodily horror. Ali Abbasi's film joins the ranks of other bold and boundary-pushing works showcased at the festival, bringing unexpected frisson to attendees.

As the legal battle continues to unfold, audiences eagerly await the opportunity to form their own opinions about "The Apprentice" and its portrayal of the polarizing 45th president. The film's fate in terms of U.S. distribution remains uncertain, but its presence at Cannes has undoubtedly ignited conversations surrounding the intersection of politics and cinema.