You know that rush when a film's applause drags on forever, like the crowd's trying to summon something deeper from the screen? That's what hit the Lido today—August 31, 2025—at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Olivier Assayas' latest, The Wizard of the Kremlin, wrapped its world premiere and bam: 11 minutes and 42 seconds of thunderous ovation. I wasn't there—stuck stateside, nursing a coffee and scrolling feeds—but picturing Assayas beaming up there with Jude Law, Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander… it stirs that festival envy. Gorgeous chaos. Grating distance. Gorgeous again, in a way.
Assayas, the guy behind Irma Vep and Clouds of Sils Maria—those cerebral dives into identity and fame—swings back to Venice competition after Double Vies in 2018 and Wasp Network in 2019. This time, he's channeling a 1990s Russian underbelly, where art crashes into politics like a bad dream you can't shake. Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov, this ex-avant-garde artist turned reality TV hustler who morphs into Putin's whisperer. It's got that sci-fi edge, almost—mind control without the lasers, just spin and shadows. Dano's got this knack for quiet intensity; remember him in The Batman, unraveling Riddler's puzzles? Here, he's the puppet master, pulling strings on Jude Law's ex-KGB climber.
Law as Putin? Bold. During the presser earlier, someone grilled him on fears—repercussions, you know, the real-world bite. “I hope not naively, but I know I didn't,” Law said, cool as ever. “I felt confident in the hands of Olivier and the script… We weren't looking for controversy for controversy's sake.” Nuance over noise, he insists. And Vikander as Ksenia, Baranov's wife, torn between bohemian vibes and power's lure—she's oscillating like a character from one of Assayas' ghostlier tales, Personal Shopper vibes creeping in. Jeffrey Wright, Will Keen, Tom Sturridge round it out; Wright's presence alone adds that gravitas, like he's wandered in from a noir thriller.
The whole thing springs from Giuliano da Empoli's 2022 novel, Le Mage du Kremlin, inspired by Vladislav Surkov—Putin's real-life spin doc, the guy who blurred lines between reality and showbiz. Assayas co-adapted with Emmanuel Carrère, award-winner himself. Production quirks? Curiosa Films and Gaumont backed it, with France 2 Cinéma and even Disney+ in the mix—odd bedfellows for a Putin tale, but hey, global cinema's a weird beast. Gaumont's handling French distro and international sales; no U.S. date yet, but after this buzz, expect it to land soon.
It's topical, sure—Russian power plays in 2025? Timely sting. But Assayas isn't preaching; he's weaving a drama that feels like psychological horror, the kind where influence creeps under your skin. Loved the idea of an artist selling out to empire. Hated how it mirrors our own media messes. Still intrigued, though—because isn't that the point of these films? To poke at the human rot without easy answers.
Anyway. Where were we? Oh yeah—the ovation. Nearly 12 minutes; that's not polite clapping, that's a demand for more. Venice crowds don't fake it—they're discerning, a bit cynical, like me after too many comic-book flops. This one's got layers: political thriller with a cult-film undercurrent, manipulation as its own genre monster.
If you're chasing festival highs or just need a fix of smart cinema, keep an eye on this. What's your take—does Law's Putin unsettle or intrigue? Drop a comment; let's unpack it over virtual popcorn.
Assayas' Venice Return Packs a Punch Olivier Assayas stormed back to the Lido competition with a drama that's equal parts historical bite and artistic flair. After years away, this feels like a director rediscovering his edge, blending past works' introspection with fresh urgency.
Dano and Law: A Duo to Watch Paul Dano's Vadim is the heart—shadowy, transformative—while Jude Law's Putin avoids caricature, opting for subtle menace. Their chemistry promises the kind of tension that lingers long after credits roll.
From Novel to Screen: Surkov's Shadow Adapted from da Empoli's 2022 book on Vladislav Surkov, the film nails the 1990s ascent without over-dramatizing. It's a backstory rich in real-world echoes, handled with Carrère's sharp co-writing touch.
Vikander's Ksenia: Freedom vs. Power Alicia Vikander embodies the pull between bohemia and influence, adding emotional depth to the scheming. Her role oscillates wildly, mirroring the film's own tonal shifts from awe to unease.
Ovation Breakdown: 11 Minutes of Buzz That near-12-minute roar at premiere? It's Venice signaling a contender—enthusiastic, unflagging, hinting at awards potential without the usual hype overload.
For more on the premiere buzz, check Deadline's coverage here.
