VIDEO “The Kremlin Wizard”, the film in which an Oscar actor plays Vladimir Putin, was almost 12 minutes at the world premiere
Jude Law signs autographs for fans at the Venice International Film Festival, Photo: Ettore Ferrari / Zuma Press / Profimedia Images
The French director Olivier Assayas returned to the Venice Film Festival with the “Kremlin wizard” on Sunday, a topical drama that gravitates around a Russian political manipulator that smooths Vladimir Putin's ascension in the 1990s. The film in which Jude Law plays Putin had the world premiere in Venice, receiving an 11 -minute and 42 -second ovation, Deadline reports.
The screenwriter and director Assayas smiled at the enthusiastic reaction of the public, while he and the actors of Jude Law, Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander and others enjoyed applause.
Dano plays the role of Vadim Baranov, a former avant-garde artist and reality-shows producer, who becomes the unofficial counselor of the former KGB Putin agent, as he climbs the steps of the Political Hierarchy.
While Putin is played by Jude Law, twice nominated for the Oscar for his interpretations in The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold MountainVikander is Ksenia, the beautiful wife of Baranov, who oscillates between the desire for bohemian freedom and the attraction towards wealth and influence.
Actors Will Keen, Jeffrey Wright and Tom Sturridge complete the distribution.
The feature film is adapted by Assayas and the award -winning screenwriter Emmanuel Carrère after the novel To Mage du Kremlin from 2022 of the Roman-Elvetenian novelist and essayist Giuliano da Empoli. His novel and the film based on him are inspired by Vladislav Surkov's career, a true counselor of Vladimir Putin for years “Eminence gray” behind his power.
“Beyond the passions of people who sail through the dangerous waves of modern politics, we see the powerful cinematic breath of history that is written under our eyes,” said Assayas at the time of announcing the film. “It is a drama; it is action; it is about trying to give meaning to the chaos that transforms the world into the strangest and disturbing ways,” he added.
Jude Law says he wasn't afraid to play Putin
During a press conference that took place on Sunday before the film's broadcast at the Venice Film Festival, Law was asked if he felt any fear of playing the Russian leader.
“I hope not [sunt] Naive, but I know no, I was not afraid of repercussions. I felt confident in the hands of Olivier and the scenario, and I knew it was a story that was to be told intelligently, with shade and consideration. We were not looking for controversy for the sake of controversies. And, more importantly, I think it was essential for me to remember that he is a character in a much broader story. We didn't try to define anything about anyone. “
Olivier Assayas, the director who signed movies like Irma vep, Clouds of Sils Maria or Personal Shopperalso competed at the International Film Festival in Venice in 2018 with dramatic comedy Double was (translated as “non-fiction” outside France) and a year later with the thriller Wasp Network.
As is the case with many films presented for the first time at the big international film festivals, the Kremlin wizard was broadcast in Venice before disclosing an official trailer or the date from which he could be seen in theaters.
