The Wizard of the Kremlin
📅 Friday 22 May · 19:30
About this event
A riveting political thriller following the rise to power of Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) through his relationship with a young, wildly out of his depth, media spin-doctor (Paul Dano). The year is 2019. An American journalist (Jeffrey Wright) with a longstanding interest in Russian history is invited to the luxurious dacha of Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), once dubbed “the new Rasputin” for the 15 years he spent as a close advisor to Vladimir Putin (Jude Law). Having retired from politics, Baranov looks back on his incredible life, from his university days in the immediate post-Soviet era, when he met the love of his life (Alicia Vikander), to his tenure overseeing trashy television shows to his role in transforming a seemingly uncharismatic Federal Security Service chief into Russia’s glory-seeking president. The Chechen war, the sinking of the Kursk nuclear submarine, interference in foreign politics, the monopolization of power: these and other colossal events unfolded under Baranov’s watch, whether he approved or not. Dano perfectly balances cynicism and a sense of wonder in his decades-spanning portrayal of Baranov,while Vikander renders opportunism indistinguishable from desperation. Law, meanwhile, exudes a ruthless performance that corrodes the soul. Chilling, fascinating, and eerily intimate. Based on Giuliano da Empoli’s award-winning novel and inspired by real-life Spin-doctor Vladislav Surkov, from director Olivier Assayas ( Clouds of Sils Maria, Irma Vep ). Director: Olivier Assayas Starring: Jude Law, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright & Alicia Vikander Year: 2025 Language: In English Country: USA Running time: 2hr 16mins Times ★ ★ ★ ★ ★