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

Conclave

Special Presentations

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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.

 

Media Partner

Director
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

Film Contact
18+
120 min
Action & Suspense Drama
FilmNation Entertainment, House Productions, Indian Paintbrush

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Credits & Director

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

Edward Berger headshot; Conclave director

Edward Berger

Edward Berger is a German director and screenwriter. His notable work includes the critically acclaimed TV series Deutschland 83 (2015) and the feature drama Jack (2014). His adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic novel, All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), earned him three BAFTA Awards, the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, and a nomination for Best Director.

Filmography: Jack (2014); All My Loving (2019); All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

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