Jude Law Portrays Putin in ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ at Venice Film Festival/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jude Law unveiled his portrayal of Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The film, adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s bestseller, explores Russian politics through a fictional strategist inspired by Vladislav Surkov. Co-starring Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander, the movie is already stirring conversation amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Venice Film Festival Putin Portrayal Quick Looks
- Jude Law plays Vladimir Putin in Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin
- World premiere took place Sunday at the Venice Film Festival
- Law used prosthetics, describing Putin as “a character in a larger story”
- Based on Giuliano da Empoli’s bestselling political novel
- Paul Dano plays fictional adviser Vadim Baranov, inspired by Vladislav Surkov
- Alicia Vikander co-stars as Baranov’s on-and-off girlfriend symbolizing “freedom”
- Film explores Russian political engineering from the 1990s through 2014
- Produced in Latvia; filming in Russia deemed impossible
- Assayas calls it “a film about politics, not just power”
- Competing for top Venice awards, with winners announced Sept. 6
Jude Law Portrays Putin in ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ at Venice Film Festival
Deep Look
VENICE, Italy — The Venice Film Festival audience witnessed one of its most politically charged premieres Sunday as Jude Law debuted his transformation into Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin.
The film, adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s acclaimed novel, examines Russia’s political machine through the eyes of a fictional Kremlin adviser. Law, who underwent prosthetic work to embody the Russian leader, emphasized that his Putin is just “a character in a much larger story.”
“We weren’t looking for controversy for controversy’s sake,” Law explained, adding that he trusted Assayas to handle the subject with nuance and intelligence.
The Story Behind the Film
At the center of the narrative is Vadim Baranov, played by Paul Dano, a strategist inspired by Vladislav Surkov — a real-life architect of Putin’s tightly controlled political system. Through Baranov’s recollections, the film charts the Russian leader’s rise from the post-Soviet 1990s through 2014.
“The wizard is the person who is in the background, casting the spell,” Dano said, describing his character’s role in shaping Russia’s political theater.
Alicia Vikander portrays Baranov’s on-again-off-again girlfriend, a character meant to embody freedom and morality.
“This is a story about a lot of men in rooms,” Vikander noted. “Olivier told me we also need to see the women who inhabit this world.”
Production was based in Latvia since filming in Russia was not feasible.
Assayas on Politics and Power
Assayas, best known for Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper, stressed that the film is not simply about Putin’s rise. Instead, it interrogates the smoke screens of 21st-century politics.
“‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ is not so much a political film as it is a film about politics,” Assayas said. “It’s about the cynicism and toxic methods that now hold us all hostage.”
The director argued the story resonates beyond Russia, reflecting global concerns about disinformation, authoritarianism, and the fragility of democracy.
Contemporary Relevance
Although the novel predates Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, both Assayas and da Empoli argue that its themes remain urgent.
“It’s still relevant today, three years later, under different circumstances,” da Empoli said.
Actor Jeffrey Wright, who plays the journalist chronicling Baranov’s tale, underscored the film’s importance for international audiences, especially in America.
“If we lose the idea that we can be better, then we become what we see in this film,” he warned.
Venice Competition and Reception
The Wizard of the Kremlin screens in the festival’s main competition, alongside entries like Frankenstein, Bugonia, The Voice of Hind Rajab, La Grazia, and No Other Choice. Winners, including best actor, director, and the coveted Golden Lion, will be announced on Sept. 6.
The film has not yet secured a North American release date, but given the political climate and high-profile cast, distributors are expected to vie for rights.
For Law, who has played figures ranging from Pope Pius XIII in The Young Pope to Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts, portraying Putin represents one of his most daring choices yet.
“I felt safe in Olivier’s hands,” Law said. “We told this story with intelligence and care.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.