"Backstage maneuverings before the Papal Election Unveiled on Canal+"
Turning the Wheel Again
The intrigue of the papal election has captured the world once more, as Robert Harris' 2016 novel Conclave (French translation by Plon in 2017) gains renewed attention following Pope Francis' announced demise on April 21, 2021. With the 2024 film adaptation of this gripping tale by German director Edward Berger looming on the horizon, we're inundated with a deluge of cinematic references and images.
Fans may debate over clasics like Nanni Moretti's Habemus Papam (2011) or the more recent The Two Popes (2019) by Fernando Meirelles, but the general fervor leans towards the upcoming cinematic highlight of Harris' book. As we brace ourselves for a repeat of this political nerve-wracking spectacle, refreshing our memories of the book's portrayal of the conclave seemed a prudent move.
Delving back into Conclave, we're reminded of the minutely choreographed rituals that unfold upon the sovereign pontiff's passing. Take, for instance, the destruction of the papal ring and the sealing of his apartment—an orchestrated act that's as carefully rehearsed as a symphony's coda. According to Vatican experts, this cinematic adaptation appears unsettlingly authentic, from the clandestine jamming of telecommunications within the Sistine Chapel to the ornate design of the urn.
Now, let's not forget, the movie is no reflective mirror of reality. Like a masterful illusionist, some artistic liberties have been taken for dramatic effect—but when it comes to the complex world of the Vatican, a smidgeon of artistic license can make for a riveting spectacle.
In Plain Sight and Behind the Curtains
The film manages to get a few details just right: the cardinals' lodging at Casa Santa Marta, the voting process in the Sistine Chapel, and the smoke signals announcing the outcome. Moreover, the cinema's examination of Catholic rituals—from the annihilation of the pope's ring to the seclusion of his chambers—deserves recognition for its faithful rendering.
But there are areas where the film deviates from the source material. For instance, the character of Cardinal Lawrence combines the roles of camerlengo and dean of the College of Cardinals in the film, whereas these positions are separate in reality. Furthermore, the movie implies that secretly nominated cardinals can participate in the conclave, a notion contrary to long-standing Vatican practice. Lastly, the film escalates factional tension within the church, an element rooted in history yet amplified in the storyline for dramatic impact.
In the end, while "Conclave" presents a meticulously researched and visually captivating account of the conclave process, the movie is not flawless. Its creative storytelling choices elevate the narrative, ensuring a thrilling experience for audiences while honoring the intricate world it portrays.
Diehards of the novel "Conclave" by Robert Harris, such as francophone readers who purchased the French translation by Plon, are eager for the upcoming film adaptation directed by Edward Berger. This movie, set to debut in 2024, has sparked a resurgence in interest for the novel and its portrayal of the papal conclave.
The film, although not an exact reflection of reality, demonstrates impressive accuracy in various aspects, like the cardinals' lodging at Casa Santa Marta and the voting process in the Sistine Chapel. However, there are departures from the source material, such as the merging of the camerlengo and the dean of the College of Cardinals into a single character, Cardinal Lawrence.
The movie's depiction of Catholic rituals, like the annihilation of the pope's ring and the seclusion of his chambers, has been praised for its faithfulness. Yet, it also exaggerates certain elements for dramatic effect, such as the factional tension within the church, which, while present in history, is amplified in the storyline.
In light of the film's creative liberties and meticulous research, it provides an engaging and visually captivating account of the papal conclave process, appealing to audiences interested in movies-and-tv, general-news, or the complex world of the Vatican.
