SYNOPSIS
THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN. Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov (Dano), charts his path. First an artist, then a reality tv producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin (Law). At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia (Vikander) is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.
Based on the fictionalized novel Le Mage du Kremlin © Editions Gallimard, 2022 by Giuliano da Empoli, Assayas co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère (Between Two Worlds). The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, followed by its North American Special Presentation premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
