Originally, a planned gala screening of “The Banker,” one of Apple’s flagship original films, was set to close out the AFI Fest tonight in Hollywood. In a last-minute decision Apple decided to cancel the screening, with Netflix fortunately stepping in to screen Noah Baumbach’s acclaimed “Marriage Story” in its place.
“We purchased ‘The Banker’ earlier this year as we were moved by the film’s entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy,” Apple said in a statement. “Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering ‘The Banker’ at AFI Fest.”
While Apple would not elaborate on specific claims, a comment on a recent IndieWire article, submitted under the name Cynthia Garrett, calls on Apple to accurately portray the family’s story — a compelling tale about how Bernard Garrett and his business partner stealthily acquired property and eventually claimed ownership of a regional bank in the South in the 1950s, despite intense racial bias.
The tech company had set “The Banker” for a limited release beginning Dec. 6 with plans to hit the Apple TV Plus app in January. The company declined to comment on whether the rollout plans are under review.
