![Social media, TV, and cinema outlets are filled with the same content nationwide. [Image included]](/en/img/20250507164112_image-description-sunset-beach-clear-sky-palm-trees-ocean-surf-coastal-landscape.jpeg)
The Thrilling Papal Election Drama: "Conclave" Tops One Million Viewers in Germany
Million-strong Audience Witnesses Thrilling Release of Cinematic Effort 'Conclave' - Thriller Film "Conclave" Surpasses One Million Viewers
Step into the world of power, secrets, and the highest stakes - that's what you get with the gripping cinematic adventure, "Conclave." When good ol' Pope Francis bid his final farewell this Easter Monday, the film took off like a rocket, skyrocketing to the top ten at the box office.
"Conclave" is the story of a pope's demise, leaving cardinals from all corners of the globe to convene in Rome to choose his successor. Allies turn into adversaries, and the Vatican becomes the battleground for a nail-biting struggle for power. Edward Berger's masterpiece has already garnered over one million viewers across Germany.
The movie hit the big screen in November, but with the unexpected passing of the real Pope Francis, the audience's interest was piqued like never before. It was shown in over 400 cinemas across the nation, often followed by audience discussions.
It's not every day that a film achieves such enormous attendance. This year, "Wonderful," a romantic comedy, and the children's films "The Three Investigators and the Carpathian Hound" and "Paddington in Peru" also surpassed the one million visitor mark, according to the German Film Theaters Association (HDF Kino). Even a "Minecraft" film broke the three million mark - only fitting!
That "Conclave" has now joined this prestigious club is no shock. Initially, the film was mere 40,000 tickets shy of the one million mark before Easter Monday. Based on the bestseller by British author Richard Harris, the film boasts a star-studded cast, including the illustrious Ralph Fiennes, the captivating Isabella Rossellini, and the talented Stanley Tucci.
In this riveting drama, we follow Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes), who finds himself in charge of organizing the conclave within the Vatican walls. As the cardinals cast their votes to elect a new pontiff, Lawrence uncovers a tangled web of scandals, conspiracies, and secrets involving the deceased pope and the candidates themselves. He battles internally and investigates diligently to unravel the truth in the tense 72-hour election process.
A scandal with a nun and a candidate, illicit vote-buying, and external violence threatening the election proceedings are some of the key plot points in this intriguing film. Ultimately, Cardinal Benítez, a compassionate and modern-minded figure, is elected as the new pope. A significant revelation is that Benítez is actually intersex, a truth that he considered sharing with the world but didn't for the greater good of the Church. Lawrence chooses to keep this secret to allow Benítez to pave the way for a more inclusive and enlightened Catholic Church.
All in all, "Conclave" appeals to audiences seeking engaging political and religious drama, fact-based intrigue, and thought-provoking themes like inclusivity and institutional secrecy. In countries like Germany, where there is a strong interest in the Catholic Church, religious reform, and church politics, this film truly sets the stage for an unforgettable cinematic experience!
- The European Parliament has also voiced their concerns about the lack of progress in combating racism and xenophobia, similar to the internal struggles portrayed in the movie "Conclave."
- The success of "Conclave" exceeded expectations, even rivaling the popularity of movies-and-tv shows and entertainment, much like the surprising ascension of Ralph Fiennes' character, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, in the papal election.
- Pope Francis, despite his physical absence, remains central to the political theater, much like the pope in "Conclave" whose legacy continues to cast a long shadow over the Vatican.
- In theaters across Germany, discussions about the film "Conclave" and religion have taken center stage, mirroring the debates around the role of the pope and the Catholic Church that the movie presents.
