Overview

• Olivier Assayas’ adaptation debuted in competition on the Lido with an ovation reported at roughly 11 to 12 minutes.
• Jude Law plays Vladimir Putin, with Paul Dano as fictional Kremlin adviser Vadim Baranov, a character inspired by strategist Vladislav Surkov.
• Early critiques single out Law’s performance for praise, while several reviews question the film’s energy and depth.
• Assayas describes the work as a reflection on modern political methods rather than a biopic, a theme underscored during the Venice press conference.
• Shot in Latvia because filming in Russia was not possible, the English-language feature has no confirmed U.S. release date.