Imagine a gripping tale that pulls back the curtain on the shadowy world of Russian politics, revealing how one man clawed his way to absolute power—it's the kind of story that keeps you up at night, wondering just how close to home it hits.
In an exciting update, we're thrilled to share the complete international trailer for Oliver Assayas' riveting political drama, The Wizard of the Kremlin, featuring standout performances from Paul Dano and Jude Law. If you caught our sneak peek clip back in August, right before its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, you'll be eager to see this full version that builds even more suspense.
This captivating film is an adaptation crafted by director Assayas himself, alongside the acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Emmanuel Carrère, drawn from Giuliano da Empoli's insightful book of the same name. For those new to the topic, it dives deep into the intricate and often convoluted web of politics in Russia after the Soviet Union's collapse—a time of massive upheaval where old communist structures gave way to a chaotic mix of oligarchs, spies, and emerging leaders. At its heart, the story traces the cunning ascent of Vladimir Putin to the pinnacle of power, offering a fictionalized yet eerily realistic glimpse into those turbulent years.
Paul Dano takes on the role of Vadim Baranov, a sharp-witted spin doctor and key advisor who's a made-up figure but clearly draws from the enigmatic real-life Russian strategist Vladislav Surkov—think of him as the master puppeteer behind political narratives, blending propaganda with theater to shape public opinion. Facing him is Jude Law as the young Vladimir Putin, stepping into the spotlight first as a steely KGB operative, his eyes cold and calculating, driven by an unquenchable thirst for control that feels all too familiar in today's headlines.
But here's where it gets controversial: the trailer also spotlights a stellar supporting cast that brings these high-stakes drama to life. Alicia Vikander shines as Ksenia, Baranov's elegant and enigmatic wife, adding layers of personal intrigue to the political machinations. Then there's Tom Sturridge portraying a savvy banker and oligarch modeled after Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the real-world oil tycoon who amassed a fortune in the chaotic '90s but ended up imprisoned when he dared to oppose Putin's tightening hold— a stark reminder of how wealth and power can vanish overnight in such regimes. Will Keen embodies the late Boris Berezovsky, the influential oligarch who fled into exile in London and met a mysterious end that still fuels conspiracy theories today. And rounding out the ensemble is Jeffrey Wright as a sharp American journalist stationed in Moscow, becoming an unlikely confidant for Dano's Baranov, highlighting the tense dance between Western observers and Russian insiders.
Our own Deadline critic, Damon Wise, who caught the film fresh from its Venice screening, couldn't praise its relevance enough. In a world where global tensions with Russia dominate the news, he noted how The Wizard of the Kremlin, despite being rooted in the gritty realpolitik of early 2000s Moscow, serves as a cautionary tale for the West. 'It shows us the step-by-step erosion of democracy,' he explained, 'and warns of the manipulative tactics that allowed it all to happen—tactics that echo in modern politics everywhere.' And this is the part most people miss: while it's a historical drama, it feels like a mirror to current events, prompting us to ask if we're learning from history or repeating it.
The movie made waves at Venice with a resounding 12-minute standing ovation, a testament to its emotional punch and Assayas' masterful direction. Since then, it's been captivating audiences at prestigious festivals like Toronto, San Sebastian, and London, and it's gearing up for more acclaim with an upcoming spot at the Red Sea Film Festival in December, bringing its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) viewers into the conversation.
Behind the scenes, The Wizard of the Kremlin is a French production spearheaded by producers Oliver Delbosc of Curiosa Films and Sidonie Dumas of Gaumont, in partnership with France 2 Cinéma, and backed by France Télévisions and Disney+. Gaumont is steering the French release and handling worldwide sales, ensuring this thought-provoking story reaches audiences far and wide.
So, what do you think—does portraying Putin's rise through a fictional lens like this humanize him too much, or does it expose the dangers we need to confront? Does it risk glorifying the very system it critiques? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if this trailer has you hooked or if it's sparking some heated debate!
