‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’: Paul Dano Shines as Russian Puppet Master in Olivier Assayas’ Thriller at Venice Film Festival

Paul Dano’s career is a testament to the power of a nuanced and versatile performer. From the mute, alienated teenager in Little Miss Sunshine to the hauntingly intense preacher in There Will Be Blood and the chillingly unpredictable Riddler in The Batman, Dano consistently delivers performances that are both memorable and transformative. Now, he brings this rich legacy of compelling character work to the world stage at a prestigious film festival.

Paul Dano appeared at the Venice Film Festival for the first time in his career and shone like an expert

Paul Dano shines as russian puppet master

Paul Dano spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his role in the political thriller The Wizard of the Kremlin during the Venice Film Festival. He portrays the elusive and cunning Vadim Baranov, a fictional character inspired by a real-life political strategist. Dano stated, “This is the kind of work I have to challenge myself with.” This comment reflects his commitment to taking on roles that are demanding and outside of his comfort zone.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Paul Dano’s decision to accept the role in The Wizard of the Kremlin was swift and clear. Dano found the initial script by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère to be ambitious in its scope yet “lean and spare,” a combination that immediately appealed to him. For Dano, the project represented a pivotal career move, a challenge he felt was necessary to undertake to continue to grow as a dedicated actor.^[1]

This deep dive into character and political strategy is mirrored by the film’s ambitious subject matter and psychological complexity.

The psychological and political depths of The Wizard of the Kremlin

Just like piles of pages showed up on screen, this movie also belongs to the same group. Based on the 2022 novel by Giuliano da Empoli, The Wizard of the Kremlin is a political thriller that follows the life of Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), a former theater and reality TV producer who becomes a political strategist and puppeteer within the Russian government. The story is set in the tumultuous period following the collapse of the Soviet Union. As Baranov recounts his career, the audience gains insight into his influence over a young Vladimir Putin, portrayed by Jude Law, and his ascent to power.^[2]

The film explores the complex and often sinister nature of modern politics. It delves into the theater of power and the manipulation of information in a post-truth world, which Dano himself notes as an unsettling reality. Director Olivier Assayas, known for his work on Carlos (2010), has said to APT that the film is not about one man’s rise but a reflection on the cynical methods of contemporary politics and how they hold us all hostage.

Are you also waiting for the release of this political plotline? Let us know in the comments below.