Ali Abassi
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Work on a feature film on the pre-politics Donald Trump began in his first White House term. In the Biden years, the idea progressed. But then, says director Ali Abassi, some financial backers developed cold feet.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
The closer we got to the elections, the more jittery they became. And at some point, you know, some of the financiers, they wanted to pressure us into cutting scenes that they felt could make him angry, basically. We had to buy out our reluctant American investors.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
When eventually the film was released, Donald Trump branded it a cheap, defamatory and politically disgusting hatchet job. But there's been praise for actor Sebastian Stan, Academy Award nominated for playing Mr Trump in his 20s.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
At first, Stan makes him sympathetic as Donald Trump finds a much-needed mentor in wealthy New York lawyer and businessman Roy Cohn. Portrayed as slightly naive, Trump is taken aback to realise that Cohn is gay and at his ruthless business methods.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Playing Cone is Jeremy Strong, star of the hit series Succession. He's nominated as Best Supporting Actor as the hugely forceful lawyer feared and admired in the New York business world. Would you say that the relationship between Trump and Cone is the core of the movie? In a funny sort of way, it's almost like a love story.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Yeah, it is a love story. When I read the historical accounts of how they met and, you know, knowing that young Donald would fit perfectly actually as Roy Cohn's type, tall, blonde, sort of a little bit innocent and provincial, it could have started as almost like, you know, Roy had a crush on him.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
But then as it develops, I think there was genuine love and affection, you know, and by that, I don't mean necessarily in a sexual way. And Donald saw in Roy a mentor figure or a father figure,
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
The dysfunctional relationship with his father Fred, suggested by the film, may be a reason why Donald Trump has so disliked it, along with a scene of violence against his first wife Ivana. The story ends before Trump finds fame on American TV, but by then, says Ali Abbasi, the cinema audience can see what lies ahead.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
He's bullied his way into his business, getting into politics, becoming president to silence the media, to get the oligarchy on his side. And I think it's really dangerous to start to adapt to a bully mindset. I know certainly what I'm talking about in that respect, because I come from Iran and the bully mentality rules in Iran.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
But it doesn't matter how I feel about President Trump of the United States right now. But it was certainly not the plan to do a like a political hit job or a critique of him, but to depict these people as human beings. And I think the more important thing for me, at least, was to be in conversation with what's going on.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Mr Trump's lawyers described The Apprentice as a concoction of lies that repeatedly defames President Trump and constitutes direct foreign interference in America's elections. But the fact it has two performances nominated at the Oscars on March 2nd has given it a media profile in America which had appeared unlikely.
Global News Podcast
Israel checking Hamas claims that new body handed to Red Cross is Shiri Bibas
Still to come... He's putted his way into his business, getting into politics, becoming president, to silence the media, to get the oligarchy on his side...