Vertical has acquired the North American rights to The Wizard of the Kremlin, director Olivier Assayas’ political thriller that bowed in Venice.
The film stars stars Jude Law as Vladimir Putin and Paul Dano as the Russian president’s master propagandist, with the ensemble cast including Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, Will Keen and Jeffrey Wright. Vertical plans a theatrical release later this year.
“Olivier is an exceptional filmmaker who has crafted a remarkable film, offering a rare and compelling glimpse behind the Iron Curtain. With a standout cast led by Paul and Jude, we’re excited to bring the film to North American audiences later this year,” Vertical partner Peter Jarowey said in a statement.
A synopsis from the producers states. “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 novel Le Mage du Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli, Assayas co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère.
“The Wizard of the Kremlin has been one of my most ambitious and most exciting projects. A political thriller and an epic, served by a dream cast. The shoot was an adventure, a challenge… and a joy. I am thrilled to team up with Vertical, and I can’t wait for North American audiences to discover the film in theaters,” director Assayas said in a statement.
The film is produced by Olivier Delbosc and Sidonie Dumas and executive produced by Alexandra Abrams, Justin Ardalan-Raikes, Sylvie Barthet, Niraj Bhatia, Lee Broda, Patrick Doherty, Max Kondziolka, Stuart Manashil, Joel Michaely, Michael Paletta, Thomas Pierce, Jeff Rice, Dean Sansovich, Theodore Shivdasani, Hugh Strange, and Scott Weber.
The distribution deal was negotiated by Jarowey and senior vp of acquisitions Tony Piantedosi for Vertical and by CAA Media Finance and Gaumont for the filmmakers.
