In the beginning of the film, Ksenia is a person who flees, a shape-shifter. A person who embodies Russia during the years since the Soviet Union collapsed.
Olivier Assayas, who directed, interrupts and says:
Ksenia is an incredibly important character. She symbolizes freedom, she symbolizes what could have been when the Soviet Union fell apart. The youth believed in change, what has happened instead makes it even more heartbreaking.
A portrait-like Putin
In the film, Paul Dano plays the fictional character Vadim Baranov (to some extent based on the real Vladislav Surkov), who becomes a spin doctor for Vladimir Putin and helps him to power. Vikander plays the woman in Baranov's life.
Putin is played by Jude Law, who is surprisingly portrait-like. He avoids answering the question of whether he is afraid after having satirized a dictator who is not known for his humor.
I felt safe with Olivier and with the script. We are not out to be controversial. I play one of the characters in a larger story.
Law says that they were early in agreement that it would not be an attempt to imitate Putin.
It would not be a nicely made mask. At the same time, you see what a good toupee can do.
Assayas fills in:
I did not, as I said, want an imitation. I wanted an actor who could get into the character, an actor who had the power and intelligence to fill out the character.
A lot of research
Jude Law says that he did a lot of research – and that when he does so, he can become obsessed and digs deep into everything.
The tricky thing was that Putin's public face reveals nothing, he shows nothing. That made it harder for me as an actor.
Someone at the press conference asks if Russia controls the world. Assayas answers firmly:
No. But the film is about how modern politics was created, how evil came and created this tough situation that we are all in now.
Gunnar Rehlin/TT
Facts: Jude Law
TT
Age: 52.
Lives: London.
Wife: Philippa Coen.
Children: Iris Law, Rafferty Law, Rudy Law, Ada Law.
Previous films/TV series: Numerous, including "The talented Mr Ripley", "A.I.", "The road to perdition", "Alfie", "The aviator", "The holiday", "Sherlock Holmes", "Anna Karenina", "The grand Budapest hotel", "Captain Marvel", "The young pope", "Fantastical creatures", "The order", "Eden".
Age: 36.
Family: Husband Michael Fassbender, two children. Lives: Lisbon. Previous roles: "A royal affair", "The danish girl", "The lighthouse between the seas", "Tomb raider", "Blue bayou", "Irma Vep".
