“It’s Not About Religion, It’s About Power” - Berger Discusses CONCLAVE at San Sebastian Film Festival
At the San Sebastian Film Festival, director Edward Berger introduced his latest film, Conclave, a tense political thriller set against the backdrop of a papal election. The film delves into the power struggles and internal dilemmas faced by the Cardinals as they gather to select a new Pope, blending intricate character studies with high-stakes intrigue. Berger, known for his deft storytelling and keen exploration of human emotions, shared insights into the making of Conclave during a press conference, touching on themes of faith, power, and doubt.
On the film’s central theme: "This movie is not really about religion. It's much more about power games behind closed doors and vying for a top job. It could take place anywhere—in a company, politics, or religion. In this case, it's religion."
On the Vatican’s potential reaction: "If I were the Vatican, I just wouldn't react. It's a movie, and the Vatican is something else."
On casting Ralph Fiennes: "Ralph is an actor who lets us into his soul. I can see what's going on behind his eyes, how he feels, what he thinks. It's magic."
On editing inspiration: "I was inspired by the 70s political thrillers, like Pakula’s work. Every edit should be precise—only cut when the dynamic of the scene changes."
On contrasting All Quiet on the Western Front with Conclave: "A movie has to come from inside you. After making All Quiet, I was drawn to something entirely different—no action, no mud, no noise."
On the character’s internal journey: "In Conclave, Ralph’s character wrestles with his faith and doubt. It’s a battle we all go through, and in the end, he’s liberated, letting in fresh air and looking towards the future."
On the decision to make the film: "The only reason why I made the movie, and why Ralph made the movie, was the inner theme—the exploration of doubt. That's what really connected with us."
On filming locations: "We shot all over Rome. I get inspired by locations, and each place had to feel right, just like casting—it had to have the right tone for the story."
On working with Ralph Fiennes post-Voldemort: "Ralph wanted to play something different than Voldemort. And when people recognized him in Rome, they’d still say, 'Voldemort!' It was very funny."
On the future of cinema vs. streaming: "The magic of cinema, the shared experience in a theater—it won’t die. We just need to make movies that are different, special, and make people want to leave their homes to experience them in theaters."
The pope is dead. The throne is vacant.
CONCLAVE is only in theaters this November, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini.
From director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church.
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