6 h. ago BRIAN VINER reviews The Wizard Of The Kremlin: Jude's latest big screen tyrant... Putin (with a Sarf London twang)

BRIAN VINER: It is a riveting account of how political power evolved in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and how it all ended up in the hands of a former KGB agent.

Politics

10 h. ago Jude Law avoids red carpet snaps with his wife Phillipa Coan as she makes rare public appearance at his premiere during Venice International Film Festival

The actor, 52, who tied the knot with Phillipa, 38, in 2019, appeared on the red carpet for The Wizard Of The Kremlin premiere, however he and his wife avoided being snapped together.

Politics

13 h. ago No fears over playing ‘man without a face’ Putin, Jude Law says in Venice

Star of The Wizard of the Kremlin says he does not expect any repercussions from portraying Russian leaderHe has long been considered one of the leading heart-throbs of the silver screen, but for his latest role in Olivier Assayas’s political drama The Wizard of the Kremlin, Jude Law steps into the shoes of a far more forbidding figure: Vladimir Putin.Law has said he was unfazed by the prospect of playing Vladimir Putin and that he did not – he hoped “not naively” – fear any repercussions. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago The Wizard of the Kremlin review – Jude Law is Putin in adaptation of Kremlin spin doctor bestseller

Venice film festival The rise of Vladimir Putin, chillingly played by Law, is portrayed through the eyes of a wily insider, but Paul Dano’s protagonist cuts a one-note figureGiuliano da Empoli’s smash-hit satirical novel The Wizard of the Kremlin, about a Putin spin doctor called Vadim Baranov and based on shadowy Russian politician Vladislav Surkov, has now been converted into an exasperatingly laborious and literal-minded movie, burdened with endless dull voiceover. It has been written for the screen by its estimable director Olivier Assayas, working with the formidable author and reportage journalist Emmanuel Carrère; Carrère in fact has a cameo here, playing a supercilious French figure at a raucous Moscow student party in the early 90s, patronisingly informing the young people present that it was the communism they’ve just rejected that really believed in the arts.The action takes us through the 1990s decline of ailing president Boris Yeltsin and the promotion of FSB chief Vlad...

Politics

15 h. ago Jude Law reveals ‘positive’ part of portraying Putin in The Wizard of the Kremlin

Law’s new film premiered at the Venice Film Festival

Politics

15 h. ago Jude Law doesn’t 'fear repercussions' after playing Putin in divisive new movie

The actor insisted the film is not “looking for controversy for controversy’s sake”, whilst being grilled by journalists at the Venice Film Festival

Politics

16 h. ago The Wizard of the Kremlin, Venice review – Jude Law is an intense, torso

Olivier Assayas’s new film – starring Paul Dano as a fictional Russian politician – has some anarchic energy to it, but it lacks nuance and insight overall

Politics

25 h. ago Jude Law debuts portrayal of Vladimir Putin in 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' at Venice Film Festival

Jude Law transforms into Vladimir Putin in “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” premiering Sunday at the Venice Film Festival

Politics

4 d. ago Isle of Rum's Kinlock Castle could be yours as historic Highland property put on market for offers over £750,000

Once a private playground for royalty, there were fears the dilapidated island fortress would be left to crumble.

Economics

4 d. ago Jacob Fearnley left ‘confused’ after being heckled by fan in US Open win

Fearnley ended a disappointing day for British players on a bright note but endured a confusing incident with a fan during his win

Politics

1 week ago Tottenham transfer state of play with new targets picked amid injury fears and brutal snubs

Tottenham have now missed on three of their top summer targets, with Eberechi Eze the latest to opt against joining Spurs - painfully picking a move to Arsenal instead

Events

1 week ago US Open Tennis 2025: Prize money, draw, how to watch, favourites and is Jacob Fearnley playing?

The world’s best tennis players are in New York this week, preparing for the latest Grand Slam title.

Politics

1 week ago ‘My buyer’s guilt is insane. It’s $1,300 on trash’: the adults addicted to blind box toys like Labubus

Grownups get thrills from opening these collectibles they buy without knowing what they’re getting – but experts warn the craze is akin to gamblingJess has never touched a slot machine, played the lottery or bought a scratch-off, but she fears she may have a gambling problem nonetheless.This July, the 28-year-old found herself spending up to $270 a week on blind boxes – that is, surprise items that are sold in sealed, opaque packaging. Activewear companies, bookshops and even candy stores all sell mystery bundles of their products, but the brands currently dominating the market produce collectible toys with cute but unusual names. If you want a complete collection of Labubu, Smiski, Dimoo, Pucky, Skullpanda or Sonny Angel figurines, then you will have to buy blind box after blind box, sighing at every duplicate and praying the next package contains the creature you need to finish the set. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Desperate search underway for missing Arkansas teen as family fears foul play

Hannah Osborn’s father says the teen has had ‘problems’ with meeting people on ‘that Snapchat’ but that she ‘always come home’

Events

3 w. ago Angel and Buffy star David Boreanaz now from health fears to Playboy model wife

The New York-born actor has starred in a number of hit shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones, and most recently SEAL Team. But where is he now?

Politics

3 w. ago Lee Bullen never feared Sheff Wed players would boycott season opener

Wednesday have spiralled into a deepening crisis this summer and are currently under various EFL-imposed embargoes for financial breaches.

Sport

3 w. ago Celtic stars fired up for £40m Champions League shootout as playoff test holds no fear

Luke McCowan is adamant Brendan Rodgers' side are raring to go after discovering their playoff fate

Events