And I thought I didnt want to make an Italian movie.
I wanted to make it feel international and accessible.
And we simply couldnt have made it in Italian, Berger argues.
Edward BergerGetty Images
The director woke up one morning with the revelation that its got to be Ralph.
Puffs of white smoke signaled his decision to Ross and Straughan, who both agreed.
What the change to an Englishman also brought is that sense of immediate authority.
(L to R) Edward Berger and Ralph Fiennes on the set of ‘Conclave’Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
The English are very good at that, notes Berger.
The part in the film requires certain qualities.
The English, says Berger gracefully, are wonderfully polite with an ability to stay in the background.
They listen to everybody and probably quietly make their moves rather than loudly.
Its something that Fiennes himself has brought up.
Once Berger had Fiennes in place he began to assemble his other key actors.
You dont quite know, he muses.
Ultimately, both American stars fit in very well indeed.
Berger met the London-born British-Tanzanian actor here for lunch and was bowled over.
Are we going to shoot her?
Is she just going to stand around in a wide shot?
And just the sheer fact were shooting her, we know that gives her some authority.
Berger leaps up from his chair and says he knows the very footage featuring the much beloved sovereign.
Yeah, actually, we did take it from the Queen checking the tables.
We didnt see it onThe Crown, we saw the actual Queen Elizabeth do it.
The papacy is one of the oldest patriarchal societies, steeped in ancient and secret rituals.
Really, its about a group of men dressed up in scarlet-drenched cossacks and red hats politicking.
However, the long-standing liturgical celebrations invoked to pick a new pope are fascinating to behold.
Berger and his team studied in minute detail the sacred rituals in choosing the next Bishop of Rome.
The cardinals gather and then theyre sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to hold their election.
Berger was fixated about what happens when a pope dies.
Whos in the room with him?
Only certain officials are allowed.
They pray, so whats the prayer?
What happens to the popes ring?
It gets sealed away and all that crazy stuff.
I wanted all of that and more in the film.
The details are vital.
Allegris divine Miserere is performed only in the Sistine Chapel.
Berger made sure it made its way into the movie.
During one prep visit to the Vatican in late 2022, Benedict, the Pope Emeritus, died.
I went into St. Peters to go and see his body in the crypt.
That got Berger thinking about how we would handle our pope when he dies in the film.
A body bag is evident and it seems such an indignity.
Yeah, I stretched that a bit, Berger admits.
He adds: Im sure I shouldve been a little bit more careful with the pope!
Casa Santa Marta is also the residence where Cardinal electors rest during the conclave.
TheFocus Featurespicture is released October 25.
My colleague Anthony DAlessandro reported last month that the film will be going wide in 1,500 theaters.
Who doesnt want to do Bond?
Bond is the most wonderful project.
I grew up with it.
Its not a conversation though.
Im not meeting anyone.
Im sure Barbara Broccoli isnt meeting anyone.
Laughing, he adds: Repeat after me.
Im not doing Bond.
