Oliver Assayas’ topical drama The Wizard of the Kremlin had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, spotlighting the rise of Vladimir Putin in the 1990s through the eyes of a scheming spin doctor.
Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov, a fictional character inspired by real Kremlin insiders — a former avant-garde artist and TV producer who becomes the unofficial adviser to ex-KGB agent Putin. The cast also includes Jude Law as Putin, Alicia Vikander as Baranov’s conflicted wife Ksenia, and Will Keen as oligarch Boris Berezovsky, a one-time ally turned exiled critic. Supporting roles feature Jeffrey Wright and Tom Sturridge.
At the press conference, Jude Law addressed questions about portraying Putin: “I didn’t fear repercussions… It was important to remember this was a character within a much broader story. We weren’t chasing controversy but aiming for nuance and intelligence.” He described the challenge of capturing a leader famously dubbed “the man without a face,” whose public persona reveals little emotion.
Director Olivier Assayas emphasized that the film examines how modern politics and authoritarian power evolved in the 21st century: “The rise of Vladimir Putin represents a transformation of politics during our lifetimes. It’s terrifying because we still haven’t found the right answers to it.”
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Paul Dano reflected on his morally complex role: “Labeling Baranov as purely bad would be an oversimplification. The gray areas are more revealing.” Meanwhile, Jeffrey Wright drew parallels to the U.S., warning of similar authoritarian impulses and the loss of democratic ideals.
Adapted by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère from Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel, the drama is inspired by Putin’s real-life adviser Vladislav Surkov. Produced by Curiosa Films, Gaumont, and partners including France Télévisions and Disney+, the film blends political intrigue, historical drama, and a chilling reflection on authoritarianism’s global rise.
