Ralph Fiennes Stars in Papal Election Film “Conclave”

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Edward Berger returns with his much-anticipated new project, Conclave, following the success of his critically acclaimed All Quiet On The Western Front. The film delves into the enigmatic Catholic ceremony known as the Conclave. Vanity Fair has unveiled the first images, showcasing stars Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Stanley Tucci.

Ralph Fiennes takes on the role of Cardinal Lawrence, who starts to uncover perilous secrets within the Catholic Church. He and his fellow cardinals converge at the Vatican to cast their votes on who should succeed the recently deceased pope, under suspicious circumstances. The film is set to premiere in theaters on November 1.

Fiennes, a two-time Oscar nominee, recently portrayed Macbeth in a live stage production. On the big screen, he was featured in Netflix’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More. His upcoming projects include Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, where he stars alongside Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Conclave is an adaptation of Robert Harris’ 2016 novel of the same name. The term ‘conclave’ refers to the assembly of the College of Cardinals responsible for electing the pope, the Bishop of Rome. The latest real-world conclave took place in 2013, resulting in the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis, following Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement.

In the film, the narrative follows Cardinal Lawrence as he navigates a burgeoning mystery against the backdrop of the Vatican. Lawrence, the Dean of the Conclave, oversees the cardinals in their quest to elect the new pope. He encounters ambitious, cunning, and secretive peers, each with their own agendas.

The papabili, or potential candidates for the papacy, include Sergio Castellito’s staunchly conservative Tedesco, John Lithgow’s potentially corrupt Tremblay, Stanley Tucci’s modest and progressive Bellini, and Carlos Diehz’s newcomer Benitez. Overseeing this tense gathering is the shadow of the previous pope’s mysterious death.

Berger crafts the story from Lawrence’s perspective during the conclave, where the cardinals are isolated, prohibited from speaking to outsiders, and confined within the Vatican. They move only between Domus Sanctae Marthae, where they reside, and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote.

Speaking about Fiennes’ role, Berger said, “He finds himself in a crisis of faith — it’s really about a quiet man surrounded by men who vie for power as he tries to rediscover his faith. Ralph’s diligence in learning Italian and Latin is remarkable. He wanted to be super accurate and took immense pride in his craft, striving for absolute truth.”

Fiennes shared his thoughts on working with Berger, “Edward is very enthusiastic. He’s a real listener and collaborator. His preparation is formidable, earning immediate respect from actors and crew alike. He knows precisely what film he wants to make.”

Screenwriter Peter Straughan made several changes from Harris’s novel. For instance, the character of Sister Agnes, originally a minor role, has been significantly expanded. Isabella Rossellini’s portrayal turns her into a key ally for Cardinal Lawrence. Berger explained, “The difficult thing about this role is that she embodies staying in the background, invisible, serving the men — the oldest patriarch in the world still ruling, and she’s at the core of its crumbling foundations. For the most part in the movie, she’s quietly in the background, yet we keep looking at her — because it’s Isabella.”

If the plot feels familiar, it might be because the concept of a conclave has been depicted before, notably in the 2009 film Angels & Demons starring Tom Hanks, based on Robert Langdon’s novel. However, Berger’s Conclave aims to immerse the audience directly inside the actual conclave rather than just its surroundings.

Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence finds himself tasked with managing his peers in the College of Cardinals while unraveling the mystery behind the previous pope’s death. Conclave will be released in theaters on November 1.

Source: Vanity Fair