The Apprentice: Humanizing Controversial Figures in Film

Jeremy Strong emphasizes the importance of portraying flawed individuals as complex humans, challenging societal tendencies to demonize them.

### Humanizing Complexity: The Duality of Characters in "The Apprentice"
* 🎬 Jeremy Strong discusses the nuanced portrayals of morally bankrupt characters in "The Apprentice," emphasizing that both he and Sebastian Stan's performances reveal **human failings** rather than caricatures.
* 🤔 He addresses concerns about the film humanizing figures like Donald Trump, stating that it is a **"dangerous idea"** to depict someone as too human, suggesting it may lead to **censorship**.
* 📽 Strong believes that the film, directed by Elia Bossi, is not partisan or pro- or anti-Trump, but rather an examination of these individuals as **serious human beings**.
* He notes that society often **demonizes and mocks such figures** instead of attempting to **understand them**, which is a **critical aspect of the film's narrative**.
* 📜 In *Cerulean*, a strong quote emphasizes the importance of **understanding those who embody evil**, which adds depth to the conversation about character portrayal.
* 🐸 He shares a humorous anecdote about his character Roy Cohn, revealing a scene that did not make the final cut, where he performed in a **frog suit**, highlighting the **complexity and contradictions** of Cohn's character.
* 🎭 The film "The Apprentice" is set to release in theaters on October 11th, promising an exploration of **intricate human emotions and moral ambiguity**.
* 🌟 Strong expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the film, indicating that it aims to **challenge viewers' perceptions and provoke thought**.

>> Stephen: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT. FANTASTIC. BACK WITH THE STAR OF THE NEW MOVIE THE APPRENTICE JEREMY STRONG, YOU AND SEBASTIAN STAN WHO PLAYS DONALD TRUMP, BOTH PERFORMANCES ARE BRILLIANT, NOT ONLY LAYING OUT CLEARLY THE MORAL BANKRUPTCY OF THESE TWO MEN, BUT ALSO THAT THESE ARE VERY HUMAN FAILINGS. THEY ARE NOT CARICATURES. THESE ARE REAL DEPICTIONS, SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY AREN'T THRILLED HOW HUMANIZING THIS IS AS BEING MORE HUMAN IS NECESSARILY A BETTER THING, HUMAN BEINGS HAVE ALL OF THE FAULTS WE ARE MOST AFRAID OF, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, PEOPLE SAY DON'T RELEASE IT NOW, IT HUMANIZES THEM. BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY

DON'T RELEASE IT BECAUSE IT WILL SHOW WHAT MONSTERS THESE GUYS ARE. >> Jeremy: IT'S A VERY LOADED, AND THE MOVIE NARROWLY ESCAPED THE JAWS ARE BEING BANNED IN THIS COUNTRY WHICH IS UPTON SINCLAIR, IT COULD HAPPEN HERE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTRY IN THIS DAY AND AGE, BUT IT VERY NEARLY DID. I THINK THAT IT'S A DANGEROUS IDEA THAT YOU COULD PORTRAY SOMEONE AS TOO HUMAN. IT'S -- I THINK THAT THE DIRECTOR ELIA BOSSI ATTEMPTED TO HOLD A MIRROR UP TO NATURE TO THESE PEOPLE AND OUR SOCIETY. I THINK THAT IT IS NOT A POLEMIC, IT IS NOT PARTISAN. I THINK IT'S NOT A PRO-TRUMP MOVIE OR ANTI-TRUMP MOVIE.

IT'S NOT TELLING YOU WHO TO VOTE FOR. IT'S TRYING TO EXAMINE THESE INDIVIDUALS AND TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY AS HUMAN BEINGS, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE TEND TO DO. WE TEND TO RISE AND DEMONIZE AND MOCK THESE PEOPLE. >> Stephen: HEAVEN FORBID WE SHOULD MOCK THEM, I AM SO SORRY. >> Jeremy: NO, BUT -- >> Stephen: WELL, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY. [LAUGHTER] >> Jeremy: I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS COMING IN HERE, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CERULEAN WROTE IN THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. HE SAID, DESPISE EVIL AND UNGODLINESS, BUT MEN OF UNGODLINESS AND EVIL, THESE UNDERSTAND. AND I THINK -- >> Stephen: IT WILL GIVE YOU A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF WHO

DONALD TRUMP IS BASED UPON YOUR TO DEPICTION OF ROY COHN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE ROY COHN. IS THERE MORE THAT YOU SHOULD SEE? >> Jeremy: I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD TALK ABOUT THIS. HE LIVED OVER ON 60TH STREET AND HAD A ROOM FULL OF STUFFED FROGS AND FROGS FOR, HE WAS A CONUNDRUM. HE WAS A VERY VICIOUS, DESPICABLE PERSON IN A LOT OF WAYS, MANY, BY MANY CONSIDER ONE OF THE WORST HUMANS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, AND HE WAS ALSO KIND OF ARRESTED. HE WAS SORT OF LIKE A DEMONIC PETER PAN WHO NEVER GREW UP, SO WE DID SHOOT A SCENE WHERE HE ASKED THE COSTUME DESIGNER TO GO FIND A FULL BODY FROG SUIT, AND

I WAS IN MY BEDROOM WITH DONALD'S, AND I SANG THE ENTIRETY OF GEORGE HEARN'S SONG I AM WHAT I AM IN A FROG SUIT. AND IT'S NOT IN THE MOVIE -- BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE. >> Stephen: DIRECTOR'S CUT EVENTUALLY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE ALWAYS LOVE HAVING YOU HERE. THE APPRENTICE IS IN THEATERS OCTOBER 11TH, EVERYBODY! JEREMY STRONG! WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH DR. FRANCIS COLLINS!

Jeremy Strong On Playing Roy Cohn, "One Of The Worst Humans Of The 20th Century"

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Humanizing Controversial Figures in "The Apprentice"

Jeremy Strong discusses the moral complexity of his and Sebastian Stan's performances as Donald Trump, emphasizing their human failings rather than portraying them as caricatures.

The film's release faced backlash for humanizing these controversial figures, raising questions about the ethics of such portrayals.

Strong believes the director's intent was to reflect the broader societal issues, making the film neither pro- nor anti-Trump.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of taking individuals seriously, rather than demonizing or mocking them.

It references a quote about understanding men of ungodliness and evil, suggesting that this perspective can lead to a deeper understanding of their actions.

The conversation highlights the need for empathy and understanding in examining people's behaviors and choices.

Roy Cohn was a controversial figure, living on 60th Street with a room full of stuffed frogs, embodying a contradictory nature.

He is often regarded as one of the worst humans of the 21st century due to his vicious and despicable actions.

Cohn's character is likened to a demonic Peter Pan, never growing up, and a scene was shot where he requested a full body frog suit from the costume designer.

Jeremy Strong shared a quirky moment of singing George Hearn's song in a frog suit while with Donald.

He expressed his belief that the scene should be in the movie.

The Apprentice, featuring Strong, is set to be in theaters on October 11th.