At the Venice World Premiere, the suspenseful drama 'Wizard of the Kremlin' featuring Paul Dano and Jude Law receives a pleasant response, sending chills among viewers.
In the heart of the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Olivier Assayas' latest directorial endeavour, "The Wizard of the Kremlin," has met a warm reception. This political thriller, an adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli's award-winning novel, has been causing quite a stir.
At the forefront of the film is Paul Dano, who portrays Vadim Baranov, a Russian president's master propagandist. Dano's character is based on Vladislav Surkov, a real-life fixer credited for helping Putin's ascent. Jude Law, on the other hand, takes on the role of Vladimir Putin himself, working closely with a makeup and hair team to find a resemblance to the Russian leader.
The film dramatizes events from the 1990s to the 2000s, charting Baranov's transformation from idealist to architect of authoritarian power. Tom Sturridge plays a Russian private banker, Dimitri Sidorov, based on oligarch and opposition activist, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Alicia Vikander co-stars as Ksenia, Baranov's lover and moral counterweight.
The critic from our website gave a mixed review of "The Wizard of the Kremlin." While praising the fluid, unfussy style of Assayas, they criticized its clunky and expository moments. The review also commended the film's swift pacing, from the fall of the U.S.S.R to the 2014 invasion of Crimea. However, it also criticized the muddled moments when trying to create real drama or memorable characters.
Paul Dano, in an interview with our website ahead of the Venice Film Festival, spoke about his preparation for his role in "The Wizard of the Kremlin." He found his soft-spoken, quietly commanding portrayal of Baranov to be compelling, despite it feeling far from who he is. Jeffrey Wright co-stars as the American academic to whom Baranov tells his story.
Alexei Serebryakov portrays the character of Vladislav Surkov in the film. Jude Law discussed with Assayas that his portrayal of Putin should not be an impersonation. However, the actor's performance has sparked controversy, with some viewers finding it too close to the real-life leader.
"The Wizard of the Kremlin" is not just a film; it's a reflection of contemporary Russian politics, a mirror held up to a complex and intriguing nation. As the 82nd Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6, this thought-provoking piece is sure to be a talking point among film enthusiasts and political analysts alike.
