Olivier Assayas on The Wizard of the Kremlin: Power, Politics and Telling a Story Still Being Written

Send us Fan MailAdapting a political story is one thing… but adapting one that still feels current, raw and unresolved is something else entirely. In the latest episode of The MarshyCast, I sat down with Olivier Assayas to talk about The Wizard of the Kremlin, his new film starring Jude Law as Vladimir Putin. Interestingly, Assayas revealed he was one of the first people to read the original book… but initially turned down the chance to bring it to the big screen. It’s a decision that says a lot about the scale and sensitivity of the story, and the responsibility that comes with telling it. The film boasts a remarkable cast, but central to it is Jude Law’s portrayal of Putin, a performance that inevitably draws attention given the real-world context. That led to a wider conversation about what it means to make a film like this when many of the figures involved are still alive, and the events themselves continue to shape global politics. We also touched on the creative process behind the film, including whether there’s a longer director’s cut waiting in the wings. Let’s just say… the answer isn’t quite what you might expect. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the conversation, though, was around perception. Is the film pro-Russian? Anti-Russian? Or something more complex? Assayas spoke candidly about the balance he wanted to strike, and whether he had any concerns about potential backlash. It’s a fascinating insight into filmmaking at the intersection of art and real-world politics… where every creative decision carries weight beyond the screen. 🎧 You can hear the full conversation now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh