The Magician in the Kremlin at filmforum: Political power as a gripping cinema experience

Event: The Magician in the Kremlin in filmforum, Dellplatz 16, 47051 Duisburg on 14. April 2026

Date and Time

14. April 2026 17:30

Artist

Location

filmforum
Dellpl. 16, 47051 Duisburg, Germany

Price

9,90

About this Event

Theater

Mood

Relaxed

Venue Type

Inside

An evening about power, manipulation, and the stage of history

With The Magician in the Kremlin, a politically charged piece is on the program at filmforum Duisburg, sharply contrasting the present and recent history. Olivier Assayas adapts Giuliano da Empoli's novel as a precise portrait of power: Vadim Baranov shapes a new media reality from the remnants of the Soviet Union, where staging becomes a state art.

When politics becomes dramaturgy

The film unfolds its tension from the mechanisms of influence. Vadim Baranov, played by Paul Dano, acts as a puppet master with cool elegance; Jude Law portrays Vladimir Putin with controlled presence and an almost uncanny calm. Thus, a cinematic stage experience is created that makes the logic of power visible like a sharp directorial idea.

A look into the years of upheaval after the change

Assayas works with archival material, carefully aged images, and a clear visual dramaturgy. The spirit of optimism after the fall of the Soviet Union repeatedly shines through before it tilts into ambivalence. This is precisely where the strength of this production lies: It tells not only about individuals, but about a system that organizes itself through images, gestures, and narratives.

The filmforum as a fitting resonance space

The filmforum Duisburg is regarded as a venue for demanding film culture, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. The atmosphere of the house, the central location at Dellplatz, and the curated program create a framework in which political pieces resonate particularly strongly. Those who take a seat here experience cinema as a concentrated cultural encounter with powerful audience reactions.

An evening for sharp minds and awake senses

The Magician in the Kremlin combines acting artistry, political analysis, and cinematic precision for an intense look at power and manipulation. Those interested in clever stories, strong characters, and European auteur direction will find an intense stage experience on the screen. Experience it live at filmforum Duisburg and secure your tickets.

Official channels of filmforum Duisburg:

Sources:

Loading map...

Frequently Asked Questions

Book Tickets