The Magician in the Kremlin at filmforum: Political cinema with a pulling effect in Duisburg
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A dark power play on the big screen at filmforum Duisburg
With The Magician in the Kremlin, a politically charged stage experience of a different kind will arrive at filmforum on April 13, 2026: a film about manipulation, staging, and the cold shine of power. Olivier Assayas condenses Giuliano da Empoli's key novel into a precise drama about Vadim Baranov, the puppeteer in the shadow of Vladimir Putin.
Between theatrical atmosphere and political strategy
The film follows a man who once shaped avant-garde theater, then formed reality TV, and ultimately perfected the language of power. This dramaturgy unfolds like a frighteningly elegant production: with controlled tension, historical depth, and a view of an era where images become weapons.
Paul Dano and Jude Law at the center of the production
Paul Dano plays Vadim Baranov with demonic calm, while Jude Law portrays Vladimir Putin as a figure of calculated gesture. The interplay acts like a precisely timed duel between two power figures. The combination of camera work, archive material, and production design creates an atmosphere that remains close to the present while simultaneously unfolding the pull of a historical chamber play.
A film about manipulation, media, and the cost of control
The source material was published in 2022 and addresses the political reality of Russia with literary sharpening. Assayas translates this material into a form-conscious cinematic narrative that makes political mechanisms visible. The result is not a loud spectacle, but a concentrated work with a sharp eye on power, propaganda, and the seductive force of narrative.
Anticipation for an evening with resonance
Those interested in political cinema, strong acting talent, and a dense, intellectually charged narrative will experience a poignant cultural event here. The Magician in the Kremlin promises an evening full of tension, reflection, and stylistic precision at filmforum Duisburg. Best experienced live and open the curtain behind the scenes of power yourself.
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