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Conclave film image; man dressed as cardinal walking through group of other religion-clad people

The dark horse in this year’s Oscar race, Conclave has been shocking audiences with its wild twists and turns since it bowed at festivals in the fall — and introducing a new face, actor Carlos Diehz, who plays the pivotal supporting role of Cardinal Benitez. An architect for 30 years in Mexico and more recently Vancouver, Diehz makes his big screen debut in Conclave, and he will be joining us for a Q&A after this screening.

When the sitting Pope shuffles off this mortal coil, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is handed the responsibility of marshalling the Catholic Church’s most influential figures and orchestrating the arcane process of electing a successor. Sequestered in the Vatican, several cardinals—including John Lithgow’s Cardinal Tremblay—turn cutthroat in their bid to lay claim to the papal throne. As conspiracies come to light and factions are formed, the unassuming Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz) harbours a secret that may have seismic consequences.

In his follow-up to the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front, Edward Berger delivers another immaculately crafted, psychologically complex morality tale. Gifted with a gloriously refined screenplay by Peter Straughan (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Berger elicits finely calibrated performances from a powerhouse cast that includes Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. And while Stephane Fontaine’s cinematography ensures a succession of sublime compositions, it’s the dramatic tension resulting from faith running afoul of corruption that keeps us riveted.

 

Q&A with Carlos Diehz

Guest
Director

Edward Berger

Cast

Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne

Credits
Country of Origin

USA/UK

Year

2024

Language

In English and Italian with English subtitles

Awards

8 Academy Awards Nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Supporting Actress (Isabella Rossellini) & Best Adapted Screenplay (Pater Straughan)

19+
120 min
FilmNation Entertainment, House Productions, Indian Paintbrush

Book Tickets

Thursday February 13

1:30 pm
Guests/Q&As Hearing Assistance Subtitles
VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Book now Limited availability
Carlos Diehz headshot

Carlos Diehz

Born in Mexico City, Carlos grew up in a suburb surrounded by countryside, dairy farms and ranches. He lived in a home with a large backyard where he would play outside for hours. Carlos was always attracted to arts, but as a shy child the the thought of performing was overwhelming. He did however love that movies take us to incredible places to meet extraordinary people or common people doing extraordinary things. He grew up fascinated by movies he watched in amazing 1930’s Art Deco theatres but it wasn’t until junior high that he considered giving acting a try. Carlos worked as a background performer in Mexico in his teens but then put his interest in acting aside to pursue a career as an architect. For 30 years Carlos enjoyed a successful career as an architect beginning in Mexico and then in Vancouver after immigrating to Canada. It wasn’t until 2020 when, as an empty nester looking for a new challenge, he decided to finally get serious about the craft. A global search was happening to fill the role of Cardinal Benitez in an upcoming film by renowned Director Edward Berger. Carlos sent in a tape and was rewarded with the opportunity of a lifetime when he booked the role. He would spend the next 4 months preparing for the role and then 2 months shooting in Rome.

Playing Cardinal Vincent Benitez alongside such a prominent cast was an incredibly memorable experience which Carlos will cherish for the rest of his life. He credits Ralph Fiennes’ professionalism for making him raise to the occasion, John Lithgow’s kindness and disposition in helping to coach him as well as Isabella Rosellini’s open caring heart and Lucian Msamati’s contagious humor in creating a wonderful and sincere friendship. Conclave opens wide across Canada and the United States on October 25.

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Credits

Executive Producer

Steven Rales, Glen Basner, Alison Cohen, Milan Popelka, Ben Browning, Len Blavatnik, Danny Cohen, Zoe Edwards, Harry Dixon, Paul Randle, Tomas Alfredson, Edward Berger, Ralph Fiennes, Peter Straughan, Robyn Slovo, Mario Gianani, Lorenzo Gangarossa

Producer

Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Robert Harris, Alice Dawson

Cinematography

Stéphane Fontaine

Screenwriter

Peter Straughan

Editor

Nick Emerson

Production Design

Suzie Davies

Original Music

Volker Bertelmann

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