The film “The Wizard of the Kremlin” directed by French filmmaker Olivier Assayas is set to premiere globally today, Sunday, at the Venice Film Festival, featuring British actor Jude Law portraying Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The film is based on a book by author Giuliano da Empoli of the same name, chronicling Putin’s rise to power alongside a fictional advisor named Vadim Baranov, played by actor Paul Dano.

The story is set in the early 1990s amid the chaos following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dano’s character is inspired by the real political figure Vladislav Surkov, considered the architect of the political system established during Putin’s era. Surkov resigned from his position as Deputy Prime Minister in 2013.