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Speaking further onConclave, Straughan credited the source material.
We inherited a book with a narrative that really worked, he said.
With adaptation, 90% of the job is picking the right book.
Peter Straughan at Dublin’s Storyhouse.Simon Lazewski
But withConclaveit was kind of like the first draft was in the book itself.
We knew the film was in there, but the job was to fine tune and fine tune.
Straughan was also nominated for an Oscar for his 2011 adaptation of John le CarresTinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
He co-wrote thatgripping thriller about Cold War espionage, with his wife Bridget OConnor.
I think we both had a connection with the book on an emotional level.
It remains complicated but you know what the emotional heart is.
If you dont have that and youre not connecting deeply, then I think you get lost.
And thats much scarier.
I thought I can do this, he said.
I loved the book, and I think Hilary is one of our greatest novelists.
Storyhouse is a not-for-profit initiative spearheaded by Element Pictures, Screen Ireland and Fremantle.
Its second edition runs April 3-4, 2025.
