Actor Jude Law took up Judo training, unafraid of potential consequences, for portraying Russian president Vladimir Putin in the Venice thriller film 'The Wizard of the Kremlin'.

The Venice Film Festival this weekend premiered "The Wizard of the Kremlin," a fictionalized account of Vladimir Putin's ruthless rise to power throughout the 1990s. Starring Jude Law as a younger Putin, the film is an adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli's award-winning novel.

Paul Dano stars as Vadim Baranov, a former artist-turned-spin doctor in the Kremlin. Baranov's character is based on Vladislav Sourkov, a real-life fixer who helped choreograph Putin's ascent. Alicia Vikander plays Ksenia, Baranov's lover and moral counterweight.

Olivier Assayas, the film's director, addresses the timeliness of the Putin story in a world where autocracy seems to be on the rise. He believes the film is about how modern politics were invented, and part of that evil arose from Putin's rise to power in Russia.

Jude Law did not attempt a Russian accent for the role, instead opting to speak in his natural voice. To embody Putin, Law worked with a makeup and hair team to find a resemblance to the Russian leader. His appearance is altered for the part in the film.

Law researched Putin by watching archival footage and found the "tricky side" of the character to be the public face that gives very little away. Assayas did not want Law to impersonate Putin or hide behind prosthetics. Instead, he encouraged Law to delve into the character's enigmatic nature.

Jude Law's portrayal of Putin drew laughs from the festival crowd when he joked about a great wig. Law, along with Assayas, Dano, Vikander, and Jeffrey Wright, were present at the festival to discuss the film.

"The Wizard of the Kremlin" spans from the 1990s to the 2000s and dramatizes wars, disasters, and revolutions through Baranov's eyes. The film offers a unique perspective on Putin's early years in power, making it a must-watch for those interested in political history.