La montée infâme de Poutine est piquée dans ce drame satirique

French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, known for works such as Personal Shopper and Clouds of Sils Maria, recently reflected on his visit to Kyiv before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, expressing deep sorrow over the ongoing conflict. During this period, Assayas became deeply engaged with Giuliano da Empoli’s debut novel The Wizard of the Kremlin, which explores the rise of Russian President Vladimir Putin through the lens of a fictional political strategist named Vadim Baranov. Based loosely on the real-life figure Vladislav Surkov, a key architect of Putin’s ascent, the novel serves as both a historical account and a critical commentary on modern political manipulation. Assayas adapted the novel into a film, co-writing it with journalist Emmanuel Carrère. The project draws inspiration from a range of literary figures, including Masha Gessen and the late Klaus Mann, whose autobiographical work The Turning Point offers a poignant reflection on personal and political freedom under authoritarian regimes. The film features Paul Dano as Baranov, a character described as a “young, smart engineer of politics” who gradually succumbs to moral decay. Assayas praised Dano’s performance, noting that the actor had transformed Baranov into one of the most unsettling portrayals of modern political corruption. The film also stars Jude Law as Putin, marking a notable collaboration between the two artists. Assayas emphasized that Law was the ideal choice for the role, not because of physical resemblance but due to his ability to embody the complexity of the character. Law, who previously worked with Assayas on the 2011 Cannes Film Festival jury, underwent a physical transformation to resemble Putin. According to Assayas, Law brought depth and nuance to the portrayal, capturing the many layers of Putin’s personality without resorting to mere imitation. In addition to these central performances, the film includes Alicia Vikander as Ksenia, Baranov’s on-and-off-again partner, and Jeffrey Wright as Rowland, the researcher investigating Baranov’s past. These roles contribute to the film’s narrative structure, which alternates between the present-day crisis in Kyiv and the historical recounting of Baranov’s influence on Putin’s political career. The film’s title, The Wizard of the Kremlin, reflects the central theme of political manipulation and the illusion of control that defines the characters’ world. Assayas, who has previously directed politically charged dramas such as Carlos and Wasp Network, stated that his primary interest lay not in Putin himself, but in the mechanisms of modern propaganda. He described the film as a meditation on how ideological systems can be constructed and maintained, often at the expense of individual morality. This perspective aligns with da Empoli’s background as an advisor to former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, providing a unique insight into the intersection of European politics and media narratives. The film’s production process highlights the collaborative nature of Assayas’ work, blending literary adaptation with cinematic storytelling. By drawing on both historical events and fictionalized elements, The Wizard of the Kremlin presents a layered examination of power, ideology, and the ethical compromises that accompany political ambition. As the film prepares for wider release, it continues to provoke discussions about the role of art in critiquing contemporary political realities.