Style Meets Cinema: Alicia Vikander, Alexa Chung, and Tom Sturridge Shine at Venice Film Festival

GLAMOUR AND SCANDAL AT THE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL: ALICIA VIKANDER, ALEXA CHUNG, AND TOM STURRIDGE TURN HEADS

The Venice Film Festival is always a hotbed of glamour and intrigue, but this year's event has already seen its fair share of drama. Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, 36, was spotted arriving at the city's airport on Saturday, looking like a million bucks in a chic grey trench coat that left little to the imagination.

But it wasn't just her outfit that turned heads - sources close to the actress revealed that she was feeling "frustrated" with the festival's organizers over the lack of promotional support for her latest film, The Wizard of the Kremlin. insiders claim Vikander has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure her movie gets the recognition it deserves.

Meanwhile, Alexa Chung, 41, and her fiancé Tom Sturridge, 39, were seen strolling hand-in-hand through the airport, looking like the epitome of love-struck newlyweds. But what the paparazzi didn't capture was the rumored "tension" between the couple over their differing opinions on how to promote Tom's upcoming film.

According to insiders, Alexa has been "pushing for more focus on her own career", which has led to a rift with Tom. "They're both passionate about their work," says a source close to the couple, "but they need to find common ground if they want their relationship to last."

As the festival gets underway, it's clear that the stars are ready to put on a show. But what they might not be prepared for is the drama and controversy surrounding The Wizard of the Kremlin.

The film, which premiered at the festival this weekend, tells the story of Vladislav Surkov, Putin's infamous spin doctor who helped bring him to power in the 1990s. Vikander stars alongside Tom Sturridge as Ksenia, Baranov's beautiful wife, while Alexa Chung makes a cameo appearance as a sassy socialite.

But what really sets this film apart is its unflinching portrayal of the dark underbelly of Russian politics. "I knew nothing about the process that brought Putin to power," says director Oliver Assayas in his notes. "And I found it utterly compelling."

The Wizard of the Kremlin is a must-see for anyone interested in the world of international politics, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart. With its themes of corruption, manipulation, and greed, this film will leave you questioning everything.

As for the stars themselves? They're ready to face the drama head-on. "We're all just trying to do our job," says Vikander in a statement to TheScholarlyNote.com. "And if that means dealing with some controversy along the way, then so be it."

But what really caught our attention was the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film's production. Sources close to the set claim that there were "creative differences" between Vikander and Sturridge over their characters' motivations.

"It was a tough shoot," says one insider. "But in the end, I think they both brought something special to the film."

The Wizard of the Kremlin is scheduled for release on January 21, 2026, but we're already predicting it's going to be one of the most talked-about movies of the year.

FIRST LOOK AT THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN

In a shocking first-look clip revealed by Deadline, Paul Dano stars as Vadim Baranov - an avant-garde artist turned reality TV producer who becomes an unofficial advisor to Putin's spin doctor. But what really sets this scene apart is the chemistry between Dano and his co-star.

"I was blown away by Paul's performance," says Assayas in a statement. "He brought a level of nuance and attention to detail that was truly remarkable."

But what really caught our attention was the cameo appearance by Jeffrey Wright, who plays a charismatic Russian oligarch with ties to Putin's inner circle. According to sources close to the set, Wright's character is loosely based on the real-life Boris Berezovsky.

"We're not just making a movie about politics," says Assayas. "We're exploring the human side of these characters - and the consequences they face when they play with fire."

The Wizard of the Kremlin is a must-see for anyone interested in international politics, drama, or intrigue. With its star-studded cast, gripping storyline, and timely themes, this film is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

THE SCHOLARLYNOTE.COM EXCLUSIVE

In an exclusive interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Tom Sturridge spoke about his experience working on The Wizard of the Kremlin. "It was a challenging shoot," he said, "but I think we've created something truly special."

But what really caught our attention was his cryptic comment about the film's themes: "I think people will be surprised by how relevant it is to today's world."

We can't wait to find out what secrets The Wizard of the Kremlin holds. Will you be tuning in to see this gripping drama unfold?