The Wizard of the Kremlin: A Film About Putin's Rise to Power

By Stephen A Russell

ABC Arts

Topic: Movies

Thursday, 23 July 2026, at 4:30 am

Thursday, 23 July 2026, at 9:07 am

Paul Dano plays a character based on Vladislav Surkov in The Wizard of the Kremlin.

Before the war in Ukraine, filmmaker Olivier Assayas visited Kyiv in 2022.

Key facts about The Wizard of the Kremlin

The film is about the people behind Putin's rise to power.

Olivier Assayas directed the film.

The film stars Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, and Jude Law.

The film is now in cinemas.

The film will make you think about the power of leaders.

Assayas loved the city of Kyiv and its people before the war.

Assayas read a book called The Wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli.

The book is about the rise of Vladimir Putin to power in Russia.

The story is told by a writer who interviews a man named Vadim Baranov.

Paul Dano and Olivier Assayas at the film's premiere.

Baranov is based on Vladislav Surkov, who helped Putin become president.

The truth is that Putin's rise was helped by people like Surkov.

Giuliano da Empoli knows about European politics.

Assayas wanted to tell the story of how propaganda works in modern times.

The film is based on real events.

Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère adapted the book into a film.

They were inspired by writers like M Gessen and Klaus Mann.

Klaus Mann wrote about his experiences with the Nazis.

Paul Dano plays Baranov, and Jude Law plays Putin in the film.

Alicia Vikander plays Baranov's partner, Ksenia.

Assayas chose Paul Dano for the role of Baranov.

Dano plays Baranov in a very quiet and scary way.

Assayas says Dano made Baranov a very believable character.

Baranov is a character who has no morals and will do anything to win.

Jude Law is a great actor who can play complex characters.

Law was the perfect choice to play Putin in the film.

Assayas did not want Law to just copy Putin's appearance.

Law and Assayas have been friends since working together in the past.

Assayas wanted to work with Law on a film for a long time.

Jude Law changed his appearance to play Putin in the film.

Assayas says Law brought a lot of depth to the role of Putin.

Assayas worked with Alicia Vikander on a TV series before.

Vikander is a great actress who can play many different roles.

Assayas and Vikander have a good working relationship.

The team of actors and filmmakers is very talented.

Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for her role in The Danish Girl.

Assayas says politics is about power and how to keep it.

The way politicians use propaganda is changing with the internet.

The film's subject matter is still relevant today.

Assayas was worried that the film might become outdated.

Making a film takes a long time, and the world can change quickly.

Assayas was afraid the war in Ukraine might end before the film was released.

The film's story ends 15 years ago, but its themes are still relevant.

The world has not changed for the better since the story ended.

The film was shot in Latvia because it was not safe to film in Russia.

Assayas does not think he is in danger from Putin or his government.

The film is now playing in cinemas.

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