Putin's nefarious rise skewered in satirical drama The Wizard of the Kremlin
Filmmaker Olivier Assayas is adapting Giuliano da Empoli's novel 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' into a film, which explores the rise of Vladimir Putin through the eyes of a fictionalized political handler. The story draws parallels to real-world Russian politics and the influence of spin doctors in modern governance.
Why it matters
The project highlights the intersection of literature, cinema, and contemporary geopolitical tensions, specifically regarding the portrayal of authoritarian power structures.
Paul Dano's character in The Wizard of the Kremlin is loosely based on Russian former deputy prime minister Vladislav Surkov. ( Supplied )
Link copied Share Share article Before the Russian assault on Ukraine in 2022, celebrated French filmmaker Olivier Assayas ( Personal Shopper , Clouds of Sils Maria ) visited the now-beleaguered capital, Kyiv .
What : A political intrigue unmasking the shadowy forces behind Putin's rise
Starring: Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Jude Law
Likely to make you feel: Like we must always be on our guard against our dear leaders
"I remember how much I loved the city and the Ukrainian people," he says. "I couldn't imagine something like that coming. Every time I hear about the Russian bombs bombarding this country, it just breaks my heart."
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