A high-profile film festival unintentionally fuels Trump’s anti-elite image.
At the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, a provocative fictional biopic of Donald Trump, made a splash. The film portrays Trump through scenes featuring “rape, erectile dysfunction, baldness, and betrayal,” and it garnered an enthusiastic eight-minute standing ovation from celebrities and industry elites. Abbasi, a director with Iranian-Danish roots, reacted with open excitement, even disheveling his tuxedo in celebration. He declared, “There is no nice metaphorical way to deal with fascism,” calling for politically charged films that address real-world issues without subtlety.
However, the applause from the Cannes crowd highlights a stark cultural divide. The festival’s elite ambiance is far removed from the daily lives of Americans, who often view Hollywood and similar circles as symbols of disconnected privilege. Abbasi’s attempt to confront Trump’s ideology head-on may end up reinforcing Trump’s image as an outsider fighting against an elitist establishment, especially among his American base.
While the film’s reception at Cannes may have pleased the filmmaker, it risks backfiring among ordinary U.S. voters. Many Americans are unimpressed by Hollywood’s political statements, especially when delivered in far-off, glamorous settings like Cannes. Trump has long leveraged these divides, positioning himself as the target of elitist disdain, which only strengthens his populist credentials.
In an attempt to tackle Trump’s image and politics, The Apprentice could inadvertently solidify his support. Hollywood’s critique of Trump can often come across as detached and condescending, only boosting Trump’s appeal among voters who feel overlooked and misunderstood by cultural elites. The Cannes setting—filled with luxury and celebrity—further adds to the disconnect, fueling Trump’s narrative of “us versus them.”
For American voters, particularly those in Trump’s corner, an international film festival’s ovation for a harsh Trump portrayal may only reinforce their support. Cannes’ lavish world and its political statements are unlikely to change perspectives in the U.S., especially among Trump’s base, who often distrust the views of Hollywood insiders.
The contrast between Cannes’ praise and American voters’ sentiments reveals a chasm that Abbasi’s film may have underestimated. While applauded on the global stage, The Apprentice may have minimal impact in swaying American minds, instead serving as an example of elite disdain that Trump can use to his advantage.
Ultimately, Abbasi’s cinematic critique may have resonated in Cannes, but it risks being dismissed or even counterproductive in the realm of American public opinion, where Trump’s populist appeal often thrives on opposition from such elite circles.
