James Gray says he avoids overt political preaching in his films, preferring political ideas to emerge through subtext rather than explicit messages. His crime drama “Paper Tiger” has nevertheless acquired unexpected political associations after Donald Trump began using the phrase “paper tiger” to describe Russia, despite doing so only after Gray had completed the film.

The film stars Adam Driver as a former police officer who involves his younger brother, played by Miles Teller, in a risky business deal with Russian mobsters. Scarlett Johansson plays the brother’s wife, whose sudden illness adds to the family’s crisis. Gray said the story grew from his personal experiences and explores how apparently manageable systems can overwhelm ordinary families, with the “paper tiger” symbolising the hidden fragility beneath displays of strength.