Jude Law discusses his portrayal of Vladimir Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin at Venice Film Festival

Jude Law, known for his leading roles in romantic films, has taken on the daunting challenge of portraying Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’s political drama, *The Wizard of the Kremlin*, at the Venice Film Festival. Speaking at a press conference, Law expressed confidence in his ability to bring depth to the role, emphasizing that the film wasn’t aimed at stirring controversy. Law acknowledged the difficulty of portraying a figure like Putin, known for his tightly controlled public image. The movie focuses on the rise of Putin in the 1990s, through the eyes of a political strategist, Vadim Baranov, played by Paul Dano. Law also reflected on the challenge of portraying a leader whose public persona has been largely obscured, often described as ‘the man without a face’. The film touches on contemporary political issues, such as the rise of authoritarianism, geopolitics, and the shifting power dynamics between Russia and the West. Assayas, the film’s director, discussed how Putin’s ascent was integral in shaping modern politics, adding that the film highlights the changing nature of global power structures in the 21st century. Amid the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, *The Wizard of the Kremlin* has sparked significant conversation about contemporary geopolitics and authoritarian regimes.