Irish film industry celebrated as The Apprentice receives two Oscar nominations.
Despite the snub of another Irish production, Kneecap, the film The Apprentice has generated considerable excitement after earning nominations for two of its stars, Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, at the upcoming 97th Academy Awards.
The nominations, announced during a livestream event, recognized Stan's portrayal of Donald Trump and Strong’s role as Roy Cohn, marking both their inaugural Oscar nominations. This announcement came on Thursday afternoon (Irish time) and is part of the preparations leading up to the Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 2nd at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.
Ruth Treacy and Julianne Forde from Tailored Films expressed their delight with the recognition, stating, "It’s a huge honour to have our film recognised by our peers in the film industry across the world with multiple nominations at the Oscars, BAFTs, and IFTDs. It’s a massive testimony to the strength of the Irish film industry and the talent available here."
Directed by Ali Abassi and written by Gabe Sherman, The Apprentice offers a harrowing glimpse of Trump’s rise to power facilitated by the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn. It charts Trump's early years as he navigated the American business milieu, leading to political prominence. The film showcases the murky moral and ethical underpinnings of power and ambition.
Stan’s nomination places him against notable competition, including Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Ralph Fiennes, and Colman Domingo for Best Actor. Meanwhile, Strong will vie for the Best Supporting Actor award against Kieran Culkin, Yura Borisov, Guy Pearce, and Edward Norton.
Despite some critiques, the film has also logged three nominations from BAFTA and four from IFTA, emphasizing its cross-industry appeal. Treacy and Forde recognized these accolades as not just honors for the actors but also for the entire Irish film community, stating, "We’re delighted to be able to be part of the film and to spread the word about the wealth of talent available in Ireland to international production partners."
The film's path to the Oscars has not been without difficulty. After its release last October, The Apprentice faced significant backlash from Trump and his legal representatives, who criticized its portrayal as fictitious and defamatory. Trump claimed the film sought to undermine his political stature as the 2024 presidential election looms. He referred to the film as "cheap and politically disgusting," indicating the contentious atmosphere surrounding its release.
Directed by Abassi, the film handles its subject matter head-on, with the director asserting, "There is no nice, metaphorical way to deal with the rising wave of fascism. The messy way is only the way of dealing with this wave on its own terms, at its own level."
The nominations for Stan and Strong have thrust The Apprentice back to public conversations, showcasing the stark reality of Hollywood's battlegrounds where political and artistic narratives intersect. While faced with heavy criticism and attempts at censorship, the recognition at the Oscars may provide momentum for the dialogue surrounding such significant historical themes.
The public anticipation builds around the ceremony set for March 2nd, now even more important as The Apprentice promises to be one of the highlights of the evening. Though it has emerged from challenging circumstances, both Stans and Strong’s nominations symbolize the resilience and vibrant creativity thriving within the Irish film industry.