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
Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne
USA/UK
2024
In English and Italian with English subtitles
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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
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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