At the prestigious Venice Film Festival, Jude Law unveils his transformation into Vladimir Putin for Olivier Assayas’ highly anticipated film, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” which premiered on Sunday. Speaking before the world premiere, Law expressed his awareness of the challenges associated with such a significant role, stating, “I didn’t enter the project naively.” Despite the complexity of the character, he conveyed a sense of security, emphasizing, “I felt safe in the hands of Olivier.”
Law reassured audiences that the film was crafted with intelligence and nuance. “We weren’t looking for controversy for controversy’s sake,” he noted. His portrayal of Putin, enhanced by prosthetics, is framed as “a character in a much larger story.” Law further explained, “We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone,” indicating a commitment to a more layered narrative.
Based on Giuliano da Empoli’s bestselling book of the same name, “The Wizard of the Kremlin” chronicles the rise of the Russian president alongside a fictional adviser, Vadim Baranov, portrayed by Paul Dano. The film spans from the early 1990s—amid post-Soviet chaos—through to 2014. Dano’s character draws inspiration from the real-life political strategist Vladislav Sourkov, noted for architecting the tightly controlled political system under Putin.
Much of the storyline revolves around Dano’s character as he navigates the world of political maneuvering and recounts his ascent. Dano described the wizard metaphorically, stating, “The wizard is the person who is in the background, so there’s a casting of a spell that is happening.” This thematic depth is set against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, a war that continues to evoke intense global discussions.
As the film engages with themes of modern politics, Assayas remarked, “What’s going on right now is not only terrifying but it’s even more terrifying by the fact that we have not found the answer.” Although the book was written before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, da Empoli asserted its continued relevance, stating, “It’s still relevant today, three years later, under different circumstances.”
This film marks the English-language debut for acclaimed French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, known for works like “Clouds of Sils Maria” and “Personal Shopper.” Joining the cast is Alicia Vikander, who plays Vadim Baranov’s on-again-off-again girlfriend, a role that Assayas described as embodying “freedom.” Vikander highlighted the film's focus on male-dominated conversations, stating, “Olivier told me that we need a world that shows the women who inhabit it also.”
Filming took place in Latvia due to logistical challenges in shooting in Russia. In his director’s statement, Assayas emphasized that “The Wizard of the Kremlin” is not merely about the rise of an individual but rather a reflection on the complexities of modern politics. He stated, “It is instead a reflection on modern politics — or rather, the smoke screens behind which it now hides: cynical, deceptive, and toxic.”
Competing in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival, “The Wizard of the Kremlin” faces off against notable titles such as “Frankenstein,” “Bugonia,” and “No Other Choice” for top awards, with winners set to be announced on September 6. Although a North American release date has yet to be confirmed, actor Jeffrey Wright, who portrays a journalist in the film, emphasized the importance of the film's message. He articulated a poignant plea, stating, “If that is lost, as it is now, then we become what we see in this film.”
