Donald Trump Got His Own Movie He Doesn’t Even Want – The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Often parodied “The Simpsons”“some might say that the biggest star “Home Alone 2”“ “Saturday Night Live” parody man and former President of the United States of America Donald Trump is a household name. But now he’s the subject of a movie that no one apparently wants.

“Student” Is a biopic about a young Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, and his relationship with New York lawyer Roy Cohn. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Despite its moderately objective portrayal of the controversial figure’s formative years, the film had a hard time finding a distributor.

The film itself is a visual throwback, with jagged cuts and a film-like color scheme — evoking the grit and chaos of late-20th-century New York. It begins with a young Trump — a post-graduate in his early 20s — shown as a lost kid navigating the business world. While he is wary of the professionals he admires, he is also desperately searching for a mentor. This search leads him to Cohn, played masterfully by Jeremy Strong from “Succession.”

Strong does a great job of portraying Cohn, portraying him as a scheming anti-communist genius who smashes people and spits them out, all with the same cold, ruthless energy he brought to “Inheritance.” Meanwhile, Stan takes on the role of Trump, capturing his egotistical self-confidence and making him both fascinating and repulsive. Together, their performances elevate the film.

The film explores important topics like the AIDS epidemic and the cutthroat world of late-20th-century real estate, making it more than just a biopic—it’s also a work of history. Cohn’s influence on Trump is at the center of the story, and some might argue the film is more about Cohn than Trump. Cohn introduces Trump to a cutthroat version of success, fueled by manipulation and power. His principles of success ultimately shape Trump’s worldview, turning the film into an examination of how mentorship can shape a person’s ethics, for better or worse.

“Student” also delves into the Trump family dynamic — or lack thereof. The film shows a young Trump seeking the approval of his father, Fred, and Cohn eventually taking on that fatherly role in Trump’s life.

The complexities of his relationship with his first wife, Ivana Trump, and their marriage are presented with raw intensity—Ivana’s sharp intellect and ambition contrasting with Trump’s desire to project dominance. The scenes from their early relationship are among the most revealing, offering glimpses of vulnerability and power struggles that suggest deeper motivations behind Trump’s need for control.

Along the way, we see the myths and controversies surrounding Trump exposed as he evolves from a brash businessman to one of the most powerful figures in the world. It’s familiar yet deeply unsettling, like watching a train wreck in slow motion—you can’t look away.

The film ends with Trump adopting Cohn’s principles of success—not necessarily admirable principles—and it’s easy to see how impressionable young viewers might see the film and misinterpret them as something to emulate. But the film reflects Trump’s transformation, revealing the roots of his controversial persona.

As Trump, Stan was attached to the project from the very beginning, and director Ali Abbasi poured his artistic vision into every frame, confident in the film’s success.

Nevertheless, after the world premiere, other significant co-creators of the film, such as investor Daniel Snyder, former owner Washington’s Commanders and alleged Trump supporter, threatened to leave the project out of fear of how it would be received on American soil. Not surprisingly, members of Trump’s re-election campaign were also opposed to the film, making American studios hesitant to take on the film.

What I would describe as a coming of age story, ““Student” delves into the psychological and personal factors that shaped Trump into the polarizing figure we know today. It offers an artistic and intimate look at his life, setting it apart from the usual political biographies.

Ironically, this difference may be why he is such a hard sell. This reluctance has become part of his narrative, making him ““Student” almost as controversial as its topic.

No studio wanted the film. Trump’s influence makes distributors hesitant to take the risk. But Briarcliff Entertainment rose to the occasion by acquiring the film and banking on its ability to ignite conversations. It is set to be released before the October election, and viewers, reviewers, Trump supporters and opponents alike will have a chance to do their favorite thing once again: judge.

Now comes the most important question: How will the world perceive this?

Contact Gigi Young at [email protected] or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.