First Trailer for The Wizard of the Kremlin: Jude Law as Vladimir Putin
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, the trailer for The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas and starring Jude Law as Vladimir Putin, has been released. The film premiered earlier at the Venice Film Festival but received few positive reviews.
Set in early 1990s Russia, the story explores the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse. In a world that promises freedom while grappling with chaos, a young artist named Vadim Baranov, who turns to television production, unexpectedly becomes an advisor to Vladimir Putin, a former member of the FSB (formerly the KGB). The film also stars Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Zach Galifianakis, and Tom Sturridge. The Wizard of the Kremlin is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli.
At the film’s press conference, Assayas said that The Wizard of the Kremlin is about “how politics have changed within our lifetimes.” He explained:
“This film is about how modern politics were invented. Part of the evil that rose with Vladimir Putin’s ascent to power in Russia. We made a film about what politics have become, and about the frightening, dangerous condition we all feel we’re living in. It applies to many authoritarian leaders.”
Law added:
“I naïvely hope it won’t be met with hostility, but I’m not afraid of negative reactions. I felt supported throughout the process, and we had a screenplay that aimed to tell this story intelligently, with subtlety and precision. We weren’t chasing controversy for its own sake. He’s simply a character within a broader narrative. We didn’t want to make any statements about anyone.”
The Wizard of the Kremlin will be released in France on January 21.
