©Courtesy of Vertical
Following Premieres at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals, Vertical has acquired North American rights to “The Wizard of the Kremlin.” Directed by Olivier Assayas (“Irma Vep”,“Personal Shopper“, “Clouds of Sils Maria“), the film stars Golden Globe nominee Paul Dano (“The Fabelmans“), Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander (“The Assessment“), Tom Sturridge (“The Sandman“), Will Keen (“Wolf Hall“), with Academy Award nominee Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction“, “The Batman“) and Academy Award nominee Jude Law (The Order). Vertical is setting the film for a theatrical release later this year.
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 fictionalized novel Le Mage du Kremlin © Editions Gallimard, 2022 by Giuliano da Empoli, Assayas co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère (“Between Two Worlds”). The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, followed by its North American Special Presentation premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“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,” shared Assayas. “I am thrilled to team up with Vertical, and I can’t wait for North American audiences to discover the film in theaters.”
“Olivier is an exceptional filmmaker who has crafted a remarkable film, offering a rare and compelling glimpse behind the Iron Curtain,” said Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey. “With a standout cast led by Paul and Jude, we’re excited to bring the film to North American audiences later this year.”
The film was produced by Olivier Delbosc for Curiosa Films, Sidonie Dumas for Gaumont, coproduced by France 2 Cinéma, 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. Additional below-the-line talent includes director of photography Yorick Le Saux (“Blitz“), editor Marion Monnier (“Any Day Now“), production designer François-Renaud Labarthe (“Bonjour Tristesse“), costume designer Jürgen Doering (“The Richest Woman in the World“), and with casting by Antoinette Boulat (“The French Dispatch“).
The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi on behalf of Vertical and by CAA Media Finance and Gaumont on behalf of the filmmakers.