Jude Law Portrays Putin in Venice Film Festival Premiere

Jude Law stars as Russian President Vladimir Putin in the new political thriller "The Wizard of the Kremlin," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Directed by Olivier Assayas and based on Giuliano da Empoli's novel, the film explores Putin's rise to power through the eyes of a spin doctor inspired by real-life strategist Vladislav Surkov. Law chose to use his natural voice rather than a Russian accent and relied on makeup and a wig to capture Putin's reserved public persona while conveying internal complexity. The story delves into themes of political manipulation, propaganda, and the dangerous rise of modern authoritarianism, reflecting broader global concerns beyond Russia. The film also features Paul Dano and Alicia Vikander and was shot in Latvia due to Russian filming restrictions. Assayas emphasized that the movie is a broader commentary on contemporary politics, using Putin's story as a case study for the shift toward autocratic governance worldwide.