Sebastian Stan Criticizes U.S. Political Climate While Promoting Cannes Film “Fjord”

At the Cannes Film Festival press conference for his new drama “Fjord,” actor Sebastian Stan declared that the United States “is in a really, really bad place.” He linked this assessment to the political environment that surrounded his 2024 Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice.” Journalists’ nervous laughter was met with Stan’s insistence that the issue “is just not a laughing matter.”

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“The Apprentice,” directed by Ali Abbasi, premiered at Cannes in 2024, days before the U.S. presidential election. Former President Donald Trump responded by threatening a lawsuit and publicly dismissed the film as “garbage” and “pure fiction.” Stan recalled that “three days before the festival, we were unsure if the movie was going to play the festival,” reflecting the uncertainty caused by Trump’s actions.

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• Sebastian Stan – Actor, lead in “Fjord,” previously portrayed Donald Trump in “The Apprentice.”

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• Donald Trump – Former U.S. president, objected to “The Apprentice,” labeling it “garbage” and “pure fiction.”

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• Cristian Mungiu – Romanian director of “Fjord,” Palme d’Or winner for 2007’s “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.”

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• Renate Reinsve – Actress playing the mother in “Fjord”; previously starred in “Sentimental Value,” which won Cannes’ Grand Prix and later secured the Oscar for Best International Feature.

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• Early 2024 – “The Apprentice” slated for Cannes premiere; Trump threatens legal action.

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• May 2024 – “The Apprentice” screens at Cannes amid controversy.

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• May 2026 – “Fjord” debuts at Cannes; Stan discusses “The Apprentice” and U.S. politics.

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• May 2026 (night) – “Fjord” receives a 10-minute standing ovation.

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• “Fjord” earned a 10-minute standing ovation at its Cannes screening.

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• Reinsve’s prior film “Sentimental Value” won the Grand Prix and later the Academy Award for Best International Feature.

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• Mungiu’s directorial résumé includes a Palme d’Or (2007).

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Stan framed his comments as a reflection on media consolidation, censorship, and ongoing lawsuits that “seemingly never end but don’t actually go anywhere.” He suggested that the controversy surrounding “The Apprentice” may have amplified public attention to the film. Trump’s brief public remarks reduced the biopic to “garbage” and “pure fiction,” underscoring his opposition.

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Trump’s labeling of “The Apprentice” as “garbage” and “pure fiction” represents direct opposition to the film’s portrayal of his early career. Stan’s critique of “consolidation of the media” and “censorship” positions the controversy within broader concerns about freedom of expression in the United States.

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The clash illustrates how biographical cinema can become a flashpoint for political debate, testing the resilience of artistic freedom against high-profile objections. Stan’s remarks connect the reception of “Fjord” to ongoing tensions over media control and legal intimidation.

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• “It’s just not a laughing matter, to be honest. It isn’t.” — Sebastian Stan, Actor

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• “I think we’re in a really, really bad place. I really do. And to be honest with you, when you’re looking at what’s happening, right — if we’re talking about the consolidation of the media, censorship, threats, the supposed lawsuits that seemingly never end but don’t actually go anywhere. You know, the writing was on the wall. We encountered all that with the movie.” — Sebastian Stan

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• “And to be honest with you, when you’re looking at what’s happening, right — if we’re talking about the consolidation of the media, censorship, threats, the supposed lawsuits that seemingly never end but don’t actually go anywhere.” — Sebastian Stan

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• “garbage” — Donald Trump, Former President

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• “pure fiction.” — Donald Trump

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“Fjord” is positioned as a Palme d’Or contender, while the discourse sparked by Stan’s comments may influence future industry responses to politically charged biopics. The conversation about media consolidation and censorship is expected to continue throughout the festival circuit and beyond.

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