MOSCOW (AP) - Out on DVD for Valentine's Day across Russia is a heartwarming drama about a man and a woman who love each other and their country—and who bear an uncanny resemblance to Vladimir Putin and his wife, Lyudmila. Just when it seemed like the Russian president's public image had been burnished to a spotless shine by state television, along comes a film that appears to cast the steely former spy in a softer light—as smitten suitor, loving husband and dedicated dad.
While acknowledging "many similarities" with Putin, producer Anatoly Voropayev coyly claims the lead character in "The Kiss is Off the Record" is based on a "collective image," not the president himself. "We believe that since today we are not ashamed of our leader, why not make heroes who are like him?" Voropayev told The Associated Press.