On Tuesday, April 7th at 8:30 p.m., in the Gignac community hall, the associations Foyer Rural, Ciné Lot, and Ecausysteme are presenting the screening of the film “The Mage of the Kremlin”. This French film directed by Olivier Assayas, filmed in English, was released in 2025. It is an adaptation of the eponymous novel in French by Giuliano da Empoli. It was presented in the official competition at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
The theme of the film, like that of the novel, is maintaining absolute power in Russia. Drawing inspiration from the real-life journey of Vladimir Putin in the early 21st century, it recounts the contemporary history of Russia (since the 1990s) by imagining the confessions of Vadim Baranov, a fictional gray eminence of the new tsar, very loosely inspired by the Russian ideologue and politician Vladislav Surkov.
“Russia at the beginning of the 1990s. As the Soviet Union collapses, the country oscillates between promises of freedom and chaos. In this tense context, Vadim Baranov, a young unknown artist turned reality TV show producer, rises in importance. He gradually becomes the “spin doctor” of a promising member of the Russian secret service, Vladimir Putin. Vadim Baranov contributes to the development of a new Russia, working on his speeches and image. But he fails to control a woman named Ksenia. Fifteen years later, Vadim Baranov has retired and agrees to open up about those years in power.”
Adult entry 6 euros; under 25 years 3 euros. Screening followed by a friendly drink.
