French auteur Olivier Assayas isn’t typically known for political drama, with 2019’s “WASP Network” for Netflix the only movie in his filmography to approach the genre. Critics didn’t love that one, and those in the Venice Film Festival crowd last Fall weren’t wild about “The Wizard Of The Kremlin” either. Now it’s the general audience’s time to form their own opinions.
Based on Giuliano da Empoli‘s 2022 novel of the same name, Assayas’ new film charts the political rise of Vadim Baranov from young Russian artist to influential governmental official and spin doctor, crucial to Vladimir Putin’s rise to power. Paul Dano plays Baranov, while Jude Law plays Putin.
Here’s an official synopsis for “The Wizard Of The Kremlin,” courtesy of Gaumont:
The year is 2019. An American journalist (Wright) with a longstanding interest in Russian history is invited to the luxurious dacha of Vadim Baranov (Dano), once dubbed “the new Rasputin” for the 15 years he spent as a close advisor to Vladimir Putin (Law). Having retired from politics, Baranov looks back on his incredible life, from his university days in the immediate post-Soviet era — when he met the love of his life (Vikander) — to his tenure overseeing trashy television shows to his role in transforming a seemingly uncharismatic Federal Security Service chief into Russia’s indomitable president. The Chechen war, the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine, interference in foreign politics, the monopolization of power: these and other colossal events unfolded under Baranov’s watch, whether he approved or not.
Along with Dano and Law, Assayas’ latest also stars Alicia Vikander, Will Keen, Tom Sturridge, Jeffrey Wright, Kaspars Kambala, and Andris Keišs.
Assayas co-adapts da Empoli’s book for the big screen with French novelist Emmanuel Carrère. Producers on the film include Olivier Delbosc and Sidonie Dumas.
“The Wizard Of The Kremlin” had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival last year, where it received mixed reviews from critics. Read The Playlist’s review here.
Watch the new trailer for “The Wizard Of The Kremlin” below. Stay tuned for when Vertical Entertainment releases the film in North American theaters.
