Conclave's Edward Berger on Recreating the World of the Papacy | 60 Second Film School

Summary

The death of the Pope triggers a secretive and high-stakes conclave where 108 Cardinals gather to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The challenge in creating this world was bringing authenticity to the environment, with parts of the set filmed on location in Rome and others built at Cinecittà Studios. The director sought to break away from traditional church films, crafting a modern, razor-sharp visual experience that feels immersive and precise, offering the audience a thrilling cinematic ride into the heart of this secretive event.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Pope's death triggers a global event where 108 Cardinals gather to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church.
• 😀 The conclave, a secretive and highly confidential election, is described as one of the most secretive processes in the world.
• 😀 The creator expresses a deep curiosity about the process and aims to reveal behind-the-scenes details to the audience.
• 😀 A major challenge in recreating the conclave world is the inability to film in the real location, so sets had to be designed.
• 😀 The film incorporates real locations in Rome and sets built in Cinecittà Studios to create an authentic visual experience.
• 😀 The designer aimed for an architecture that feels both realistic and modern, distinct from traditional church films.
• 😀 The film's visual style is meant to be razor-sharp, precise, and visually engaging.
• 😀 The goal is to transport the audience into the world of the conclave and provide an immersive, thrilling cinematic experience.
• 😀 The movie intends to evoke new thoughts in viewers, offering a fresh perspective on the Catholic Church's election process.
• 😀 The creator wanted the film to stand out by using architectural design as a key element, making it feel like an 'architectural film.'

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script?

The script centers around the election of a new pope after the death of the previous pope, specifically focusing on the secretive process of the papal conclave and the creation of a cinematic world around it.

Why is the election of the new pope described as 'the most secretive process in the world'?

The election of the new pope is called the most secretive process because it takes place behind closed doors, with Cardinals from around the world meeting in secrecy to choose the next head of the Catholic Church.

What was the biggest challenge in creating the world of the conclave for the film?

The biggest challenge was recreating the environment of the conclave, as filmmakers couldn't access the real location. Instead, they had to build sets and use locations in Rome and at Cinecittà Studios.

How did the filmmakers achieve a sense of authenticity in the film's setting?

The filmmakers focused on creating a coherent architecture that felt real. They aimed for a modern design that would make the audience feel they were stepping into an actual, believable world, differing from traditional church movies.

What was the filmmaker's goal in terms of the tone and visual style of the film?

The filmmaker wanted the movie to feel modern, razor-sharp, and precise. They sought to create an architectural film that would take the audience on a thrilling cinematic ride while offering new perspectives and thoughts.

Why did the filmmaker describe the movie as an 'architectural film'?

The filmmaker described the movie as an 'architectural film' because of the careful design of the sets and the visual precision in capturing the space, emphasizing the connection between the architecture and the narrative.

What makes this film different from other church-related movies?

This film distinguishes itself by its modern, sharp aesthetic and architectural focus, setting it apart from more traditional church films which typically have a more classic or historical style.

How did the filmmaker balance the historical and modern elements of the story?

The filmmaker balanced history with modernity by designing sets and locations that were both believable and current, blending traditional elements with contemporary cinematic techniques to create a unique atmosphere.

What was the intended impact of the film on its audience?

The filmmaker aimed to provide the audience with a thrilling cinematic experience while encouraging them to reflect on new ideas and perspectives about the papal election and the world of the Catholic Church.

What were the key elements that contributed to the film's visual style?

The key elements contributing to the film's visual style included precise architectural design, modern set construction, and a sharp, cinematic approach to lighting and composition to enhance the overall atmosphere.