Conclave is a tense political thriller set within the Vatican, where ambition, betrayal, and power struggles unfold behind closed doors as cardinals gather to elect the next pope. Directed by Edward Berger, the film explores the fierce ideological battle between reformers and conservatives within the Church.
The Vatican becomes the epicenter of a gripping political thriller with Conclave, in theaters starting December 4. Led by a brilliant cast headed by Ralph Fiennes, the film delves into the behind-the-scenes drama of a conclave, as its name suggests, where cardinals, ambitions, and betrayals intertwine, revealing a world of secrets and maneuvering where the papacy is decided behind closed doors.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence, the man tasked with organizing the assembly of cardinals who will elect the next pope following the death of the pontiff. What initially seems like an administrative task quickly becomes a monumental challenge in a closed-off world where every gesture and word is scrutinized. Past grudges, political rivalries, and unspeakable secrets lie at the heart of the intrigue.
Reformers vs. Conservatives
A key theme in the film is the battle between two radically opposing visions of the Church: one reformist, championed by liberal cardinals, and the other conservative, defended by those who want to keep the institution rooted in its most rigid traditions. Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow play two papal contenders, each trying to assert themselves and influence the direction the Church will take. An unprecedented element is introduced with Isabella Rossellini, who plays a nun—rare in this patriarchal world—who becomes embroiled in the conspiracies surrounding the conclave.
Alliances and Betrayals
The tension is palpable throughout this closed-door drama, with manipulations, alliances, and betrayals, leading up to an unexpected final twist. Cardinal Bellini, played by Tucci, sums up the tense atmosphere when he states that "no sane man would want the papacy," despite his own desire to attain it, convinced that his appointment could prevent the Church from regressing socially under conservative pressures.
Conclave is directed by German filmmaker Edward Berger, already acclaimed for All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), which won four Oscars. The director, who aimed to create a political thriller in the vein of 1970s classics like All the President’s Men, chose an unprecedented setting for this genre: the closed-off world of the Vatican. "It seemed essential to integrate everything that is happening in our society—conflicts between the left and right, reform and conservatism," he explains.
Debate and Blasphemy
The adaptation of the novel by British author Robert Harris, whose works have been brought to the screen by Roman Polanski (The Ghost Writer, An Officer and a Spy), immerses the viewer in a highly detailed setting, particularly a faithful recreation of the Sistine Chapel, where the conclave takes place. The scenes are also bathed in striking realism, heightened by the details of the cardinals' daily lives, making them feel both human and closely tied to the concerns of the outside world.
While the film is likely to captivate political thriller enthusiasts, it could also spark debates among conservative Catholics, who may be looking for films that are more “faith-driven.” Though some may find Conclave blasphemous, the director believes most viewers, including cardinals, will appreciate how the film reflects the reality of how the conclave functions. “Films are meant to spark discussion,” concludes Berger. "You can’t please everyone."
With AFP
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