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The recent passing of Pope Francis has reignited interest in the acclaimed film Conclave. Currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, as well as for rental and purchase on various platforms, the viewership of Edward Berger’s 2024 drama has surged, reportedly increasing by more than 3,200 percent in minutes viewed over the past week, according to Luminate, which analyzes streaming data.
Adapted from Robert Harris’s novel, Conclave explores a fictional narrative surrounding the events that unfold following a pope’s death. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with guiding the selection of the new pope while navigating the complex dynamics and competing interests within the Church. The film garnered eight Oscar nominations this year, including nods for Best Picture and Best Actor for Fiennes, ultimately winning for Best Adapted Screenplay, awarded to Peter Straughan.
Straughan shared insights into his writing process with Gold Derby, expressing a focus on presenting a critique of the Catholic Church from an internal perspective. “I found what was fascinating about the book is that it critiques the Church while its characters are believers and members of it,” he stated.
A significant draw of Conclave has been its intriguing portrayal of the secretive process of electing a new pope. Berger remarked on this aspect, describing it as “the most secretive election in the world,” and expressed his desire to unveil the intricacies behind these closed doors in the film.
Filming took place in Italy, yet the production team lacked access to authentic Vatican locations. This limitation required them to employ creative solutions, leading production designer Suzie Davies, an Oscar nominee for her work on the film, to craft detailed replicas of iconic Vatican sites, including the Sistine Chapel and the accommodations where cardinals reside during the conclave.
Davies explained their design philosophy, aiming to juxtapose the intricate beauty of Rome’s traditional architecture with the starkness of where the conclave occurs. She highlighted that the set had to embody confined spaces, with design choices made to evoke a sense of isolation and oppression, marrying the historical with a cinematic thriller vibe.
Costume designer Lisy Christl, also nominated for an Oscar for her contributions, faced a similar challenge in designing the cardinals’ garments. She noted that alterations were necessary for the color and fabric to ensure they appeared appropriately for the screen. The bright red of the garments was a deliberate choice to stand out and create a visual impact against the traditional settings.
Berger articulated his intent to evoke the claustrophobic atmosphere of the conclave, creating sterile environments reminiscent of a prison, where cardinals could feel the weight of their seclusion. While the actual process of electing a new pope remains shrouded in mystery, the dramatic narrative of Conclave has captivated viewers, culminating in the surprising emergence of an intersex cardinal who bridges the divide between progressive and conservative factions with a message of hope and unity in tumultuous times.
In reflecting on the film’s themes, Berger remarked on the universal struggles people face, emphasizing that even in moments of crisis, there can be a path to understanding and resilience that ultimately brings joy. Conclave is now streaming on Prime Video.
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