Venetian Display: Jude Law metamorphoses into Vladimir Putin in The Sorcerer of the Kremlin

In the heart of the Venice Film Festival, a political drama is set to make waves. "The Kremlin Mage," an adaptation of Giuliano Da Empoli's novel, will be premiering on August 31, 20XX.

The film, which was entirely shot in English, stars Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov, a shadow advisor loosely based on Vladislav Surkov, who is rumoured to have a similar role in Russian politics. Jude Law portrays Vladimir Putin in the movie.

"The Kremlin Mage" offers a reflection on modern politics, delving into the deceptive smoke screens that often shroud political life. The film chronicles more than two decades of Russian political life, from the dissolution of the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev to Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014.

Emmanuel Carrère adapted the novel for the screen, with Olivier Assayas directing the film. The production was shot in Latvia.

Meanwhile, another contender for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival is "Father Mother Sister Brother," a triptych exploring family relationships. The film boasts a stellar cast including Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, Tom Waits, and Vicky Krieps. Jim Jarmusch is the director behind this compelling production.

The day before the premiere of "The Kremlin Mage," the Lido was the site of a protest in support of Gaza, gathering several thousand people. The day also marked the projection of Netflix's "Frankenstein" by Guillermo del Toro.

In response to the film, the Kremlin issued a statement through its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, who asserted that Putin is one of the most experienced and brilliant leaders on the planet, and his influence on international affairs is difficult to overestimate. However, it's important to note that "The Kremlin Mage" is not about Putin's rise to power.

"The Kremlin Mage" aims to offer an enlightening fiction about the workings of power in Russia and the spirit of revenge against the West that prevails there. As the curtain rises on the Venice Film Festival, anticipation for this political drama is palpable.