Latest news with #Straughan
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How accurate is the movie 'Conclave' about the election of a new pope?
How accurate is the movie 'Conclave' about the election of a new pope? Show Caption Hide Caption Vatican announces conclave date on May 7 to elect a new pope The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals has agreed to begin a conclave May 7 to elect the next pope, per the Vatican. The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, and paves the way for one of the most arcane, storied and secretive events in human history: the election of a new pope. Francis died Easter Monday at 88, the Vatican announced. First elected in March 2013 as the 266th pope, his death now prompts the centuries-old process of choosing his successor, which will begin May 7. That event is also known as a conclave, a term that lends its name to a 2016 Robert Harris book-turned-Oscar-winning movie. "Conclave" is set during a fictional meeting of red-cloaked cardinals who have flocked to the Eternal City to cast ballots for who will lead the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. The thriller is available to stream on Prime Video or to rent or buy on on-demand platforms such as Apple TV and Fandango. Many are familiar with the final moments of a conclave, when the white smoke famously rises from a chimney just outside the Sistine Chapel, sending the assembled faithful into a frenzy of cheers, followed by the appearance of the newly elected pontiff on the central balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. When will a new pope be chosen? Timeline of the papal conclave But given that the Vatican doesn't really do Hollywood, one wonders how the filmmakers were able to capture the nuanced details − from elaborate clothing to Latinate voting oaths − shown in the movie, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow as at-odds cardinals, and Isabella Rossellini as an inquisitive nun. "We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful," says "Conclave" screenwriter Peter Straughan, speaking to USA TODAY ahead of the film's release in 2024. "So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It's a very sumptuous thing." Vatican officials seemed OK with the shocking premise of the film, Straughan adds, as well as its portrayal of a conclave's political machinations. "We didn't want to be toothless in our approach to the church, which has many faults, but we wanted to be respectful of the heart of the Catholic Church," he says. Straughan guides USA TODAY through the questions that surface when watching "Conclave." Do the 235 Roman Catholic cardinals really get sequestered like juries until they choose a pope? Yes. As shown in "Conclave," once a Vatican official faces the assembled cardinals and says the words "extra omnes" (or "everyone out") the cardinals are allowed to interact only with each other. "There isn't supposed to be any information coming in from the outside world, or going out, that could sway the election in any way," Straughan says. There are, however, some officials who as needed can act as emissaries, even if the cardinals themselves cannot leave until a successful ballot is cast, meaning one cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes and is elected pope. "While some people can go back and forth, I'm not sure they're used as detectives as they are in our story," Straughan says. Do cardinals who gather for a conclave sleep on the premises? The cardinals stay at the Casa Santa Marta, a fairly simple dormitory on Vatican grounds. They are allowed to mix and mingle in nearby buildings and courtyards, and dine together in a cafeteria setting staffed by nuns. "Visually you get this strange mix of absolute ancient beauty and tremendous scale, contrasting with this almost business conference center feel," Straughan says. "You get this major stage feel, with the Sistine Chapel and these men deciding who will represent the world's Catholics, and then this almost modest backstage feel. Quite the contrast, which makes for a great setting." Is the voting process in a papal conclave as formal as shown in 'Conclave'? When cardinals assemble to elect a pope, they vote as often as four times a day, especially in the first day or two, to determine which candidates are most likely to garner a majority vote. As shown in "Conclave," the balloting process is not a raucous affair but solemn and filled with ritual. "Each time each cardinal votes, he must walk up to the bowl where his written vote will be placed and recite an oath (in Latin)," Straughan says. One by one, the cardinals place their folded ballots atop a round plate and slide it into an oval urn while reciting an oath. As "Conclave" shows, those ballots are sewn together with a needle and thread, and then burned with a chemical to send either black smoke, meaning a stalemate, or white, signifying "habemus papam" − "we have a pope." How much of 'Conclave' was actually filmed at the Vatican? None. "You can't film at the Vatican, ever," says Straughan. "We had to come up with alternatives." Most of those alternatives were in fact in Rome, which is packed with marble-encrusted buildings from centuries past that can double for many of the chambers, staircases and hallways featured in "Conclave." (One notable exception: The instantly recognizable interiors of the Sistine Chapel were re-created on a soundstage, and Michelangelo's famous ceiling is a computer-generated replica of the real thing.) (This story has been updated with new information.) Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Kim Willis
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Conclave vs. The Conclave: Did the Oscar-winning movie nail the Vatican's most mysterious ritual?
On April 20, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, and according to an official statement released by the Vatican, the cause of death was a cerebral stroke, coma, and subsequent irreversible heart failure. With his death, the world turns its attention to one of the most secretive rituals in the Catholic Church: Conclave, which is the process of electing the next pope. Coincidentally, this centuries-old tradition was the focus of one of last year's most talked-about films, Conclave, based on the novel by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. The film dramatises the inner workings of the papal election process, blending suspense, secrecy, and spiritual solemnity. But just how true to life was the movie's portrayal of the Conclave? Conclave follows Cardinal Lawrence, who finds himself at the heart of the Vatican during a time of great transition, tasked with overseeing the election of a new pope. As secrets surface and alliances shift, the story becomes as much a political thriller as it is a religious drama. Screenwriter Peter Straughan shared insights into the film's creation in an interview with USA Today, stating, 'We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful. So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right.' Straughan emphasised their goal was to strike a balance between authenticity and creative license: 'We didn't want to be toothless in our approach to the church, which has many faults, but we wanted to be respectful of the heart of the Catholic Church.' The effort paid off, as the Vatican did not publicly object to the film, suggesting that its portrayal stayed within respectful bounds. One of the most dramatic aspects of the film is the image of cardinals being locked inside the Vatican until a new pope is chosen — a detail that's actually quite accurate. After the pope's death, up to 235 cardinals gather in Vatican City and are sequestered until a successful vote is cast. This tradition has long been upheld to ensure the decision is free from outside influence. Once the ceremony begins, a Vatican official declares 'extra omnes' (everyone out), and from that moment on, only the cardinals may remain. According to Straughan, 'There isn't supposed to be any information coming in from the outside world, or going out, that could sway the election in any way.' While cardinals themselves are not allowed to leave, some Vatican officials may act as intermediaries if necessary. The cardinals reside at Casa Santa Marta, a relatively modest guesthouse within Vatican grounds. Far from luxurious, it's more dormitory than a palace. Meals are served in a communal cafeteria, staffed by nuns, and cardinals are allowed to walk and talk within designated areas, such as nearby courtyards and chapels. The voting procedure shown in Conclave is another element where the film aligns closely with reality. During the election, cardinals vote up to four times a day. Each vote involves writing a candidate's name on a folded ballot, which is then dropped into an urn after taking a solemn oath. The ballots are then sewn together and burned. The smoke from the burning ballots serves as a public signal: black smoke indicates a failed vote, while white smoke means 'habemus papam' ('we have a pope'). The smoke symbolism, central to the film's most visually dramatic moments, is both accurate and deeply symbolic in real life. While Conclave is rooted in well-researched tradition, some elements veer into creative fiction. The film was not shot inside the Vatican — filming there is prohibited — so the crew recreated the spaces in Rome using sets and existing historic buildings. The aesthetic is convincing, though parts of the plot, including the presence of dramatic detective-style characters and shadowy conspiracies, are purely imaginative. Conclave stays impressively close to the truth in terms of rituals, setting, and tone. The casting, costumes, and locations contribute to an authentic atmosphere, and the central mechanisms of the papal election are accurately depicted. Where the film takes creative liberties is in its storytelling — the added suspense, secret agendas, and plot twists are there to serve the audience, not the history books. In the end, while the real Conclave may not be quite as thrilling as its cinematic counterpart, the film gives viewers a thoughtful, respectful, and visually rich glimpse into one of the world's most sacred processes. Catch the film on Apple TV.
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pope Francis dies: How close does 'Conclave' get to the real election of a new pope?
Pope Francis dies: How close does 'Conclave' get to the real election of a new pope? Show Caption Hide Caption Pope Francis dies at 88 years old one day after Easter Sunday Pope Francis, the first pope born outside of Europe in over a millennia, has died. The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, and paves the way for one of the most arcane, storied and secretive events in human history: the election of a new pope. Francis died Easter Monday at 88, the Vatican announced. First elected in March 2013 as the 266th pope, his death now prompts the centuries-old process of choosing his successor. That event is also known as a conclave, a term that lends its name to a 2016 Robert Harris book-turned-Oscar-winning movie. "Conclave" is set during a fictional meeting of red-cloaked cardinals who have flocked to the Eternal City to cast ballots for who will lead the world's roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. The thriller won best adapted screenplay and is available to rent or buy on Apple, Amazon Prime, Fandango and other on-demand platforms. Many are familiar with the final moments of a conclave, when the white smoke famously rises from a chimney just outside the Sistine Chapel, sending the assembled faithful into a frenzy of cheers, followed by the appearance of the newly elected pontiff on the central balcony at St. Peter's Basilica. Live updates: Pope Francis, a humble reformer who favored 'the poorest,' dies at 88 But given that the Vatican doesn't really do Hollywood, one wonders how the filmmakers were able to capture the nuanced details − from elaborate clothing to Latinate voting oaths − shown in the movie, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow as at-odds cardinals, and Isabella Rossellini as an inquisitive nun. "We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful," says "Conclave" screenwriter Peter Straughan, speaking to USA TODAY ahead of the film's release in 2024. "So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It's a very sumptuous thing." Vatican officials seemed OK with the shocking premise of the film, Straughan adds, as well as its portrayal of a conclave's political machinations. "We didn't want to be toothless in our approach to the church, which has many faults, but we wanted to be respectful of the heart of the Catholic Church," he says. Straughan guides USA TODAY through the questions that surface when watching "Conclave." Do the 235 Roman Catholic cardinals really get sequestered like juries until they choose a pope? Yes. As shown in "Conclave," once a Vatican official faces the assembled cardinals and says the words "extra omnes" (or "everyone out") the cardinals are allowed to interact only with each other. "There isn't supposed to be any information coming in from the outside world, or going out, that could sway the election in any way," Straughan says. There are, however, some officials who as needed can act as emissaries, even if the cardinals themselves cannot leave until a successful ballot is cast, meaning one cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes and is elected pope. "While some people can go back and forth, I'm not sure they're used as detectives as they are in our story," Straughan says. Do cardinals who gather for a conclave sleep on the premises? The cardinals stay at the Casa Santa Marta, a fairly simple dormitory on Vatican grounds. They are allowed to mix and mingle in nearby buildings and courtyards, and dine together in a cafeteria setting staffed by nuns. "Visually you get this strange mix of absolute ancient beauty and tremendous scale, contrasting with this almost business conference center feel," Straughan says. "You get this major stage feel, with the Sistine Chapel and these men deciding who will represent the world's Catholics, and then this almost modest backstage feel. Quite the contrast, which makes for a great setting." Is the voting process in a papal conclave as formal as shown in 'Conclave'? When cardinals assemble to elect a pope, they vote as often as four times a day, especially in the first day or two, to determine which candidates are most likely to garner a majority vote. As shown in "Conclave," the balloting process is not a raucous affair but solemn and filled with ritual. "Each time each cardinal votes, he must walk up to the bowl where his written vote will be placed and recite an oath (in Latin)," Straughan says. One by one, the cardinals place their folded ballots atop a round plate and slide it into an oval urn while reciting an oath. As "Conclave" shows, those ballots are sewn together with a needle and thread, and then burned with a chemical to send either black smoke, meaning a stalemate, or white, signifying "habemus papam" − "we have a pope." How much of 'Conclave' was actually filmed at the Vatican? None. "You can't film at the Vatican, ever," says Straughan. "We had to come up with alternatives." Most of those alternatives were in fact in Rome, which is packed with marble-encrusted buildings from centuries past that can double for many of the chambers, staircases and hallways featured in "Conclave." (One notable exception: The instantly recognizable interiors of the Sistine Chapel were re-created on a soundstage, and Michelangelo's famous ceiling is a computer-generated replica of the real thing.) (This story has been updated with new information.) Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Kim Willis
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oscar Winners Peter Straughan & Kenneth Lonergan, ‘Sex Education' Creator Laurie Nunn & ‘The Marvels' Filmmaker Nia DaCosta Among Writers Set For Element Pictures' Storyhouse Festival In Dublin
EXCLUSIVE: Following its successful inaugural edition last year, Poor Things and The Favourite producer Element Pictures is gearing up for the second year of Storyhouse, its Dublin-based screenwriting festival that celebrates storytellers and storytelling. This year's event, which will be held at the Irish capital's Light House Cinema on April 3rd and 4th, will see Oscar and BAFTA winners Peter Straughan and Kenneth Lonergan among the festival's illustrious guests. Straughan won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay on Sunday for Conclave while Lonergan won Best Original Screenplay in 2017 for Manchester By The Sea. Straughan's further credits include Wolf Hall and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy while Lonergan's credits also include You Can Count On Me and Gangs of New York. More from Deadline Peter Straughan Wins His First Oscar For Adapted Screenplay For 'Conclave'; Thanks Author Robert Harris For His "Beautiful Book" 'Conclave', 'Say Nothing' Win At USC Scripter Awards 'Conclave' Screenwriter Peter Straughan On His Oscar Nom, The Movie's Relevance & Why The Nuns Don't Talk Much Laurie Nunn and Nia DaCosta will also both speak at the event next month. Nunn is best known as the creator of Netflix's hit comedy-drama Sex Education while DaCosta is the filmmaker behind The Marvels and 2018 crime-thriller Little Woods as well as 2021 horror Candyman. Storyhouse will announce more speakers along with a full program in the coming weeks and tickets will be on sale from Friday, March 7 at 11am. Storyhouse is a not-for-profit initiative, spearheaded by Element Pictures producer and co-CEO Ed Guiney. It is a unique opportunity for new and established writers and industry professionals to benefit from in-depth interviews, panels and case studies from some of the very best international creators of stories for the screen. In parallel with the main event, Storyhouse has expanded on its Storyhouse Lab, an interactive program that will now take place across five days, including the two-day festival. The lab will provide a small cohort of emerging writers with complimentary access to all Storyhouse events, as well as additional sessions with guests under the mentorship of BAFTA and IFTA-winning TV film and screenwriter Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did, Bad Sisters). The participants in this group will be carefully selected to promote new, diverse, inclusive and gender-balanced voices. Storyhouse is supported by Screen Ireland, Fremantle and Element Pictures and is produced in association with Light House Cinema. 'Building upon the success of Storyhouse's inaugural year, once again, we are thrilled to be bringing some of the best writers and screen storytellers in the world to Ireland,' said Guiney. 'Storyhouse is committed to establishing Ireland as a hub for exceptional screenwriting talent, as well as remaining focused on curating a festival that inspires the next wave of diverse Irish writers to create, develop and producer stories for generations to come.' Screen Ireland's Head of Skills and Professional Development Colman Farrell said: 'Screen Ireland is delighted to support this year's edition of Storyhouse through Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme. This exciting skills-led initiative will offer the Irish screenwriting community a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most acclaimed screenwriting talent currently working in film and television. The immersive script development lab running concurrently will aim to empower a new diverse cohort of emerging screenwriters to explore their creative voices and hone their storytelling craft for the screen. We look forward to seeing their progress and wish them all the best.' Fremantle's Christian Vesper added: 'The inaugural Storyhouse Festival was an incredible celebration of the art of screenwriting, and we are excited to see it go from strength to strength in its second year. The festival is a unique opportunity to showcase a wonderful array of screenwriting talent and highlights the importance of fostering and encouraging new talent. Storytelling is the lifeblood of our industry, and we are delighted to continue our support this year.' Tickets can be found at from 11am on March 7, 2025. Best of Deadline Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winners Through The Years Deadline Studio At Sundance Film Festival Photo Gallery: Dylan O'Brien, Ayo Edebiri, Jennifer Lopez, Lily Gladstone, Benedict Cumberbatch & More TIFF People's Choice Award Winners Through The Years: Photo Gallery
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gateshead Oscar winner Peter Straughan 'still reeling from shock'
A screenwriter says he is "still reeling from the shock" of winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Straughan, who was born in Gateshead, was awarded the gong for Conclave at the 97th Academy Awards in Los said: "Helpfully, just before they announced me they said that the show was being watched by a billion people, so I had that in my head when they called my name out."When you walk around holding the Oscar, everybody in LA says congratulations to you all night long, so that was kind of nice." Straughan also won a Golden Globe earlier this year for Conclave, and the Best Adapted Screenplay BAFTA for Tinker Taylor Solider Spy in said went back to the hotel "quite early" following Sunday's ceremony."I woke up this morning and the Oscar was sitting on the table across from me and it was just such a surreal moment to think, 'Oh, that's mine. I'm taking that home with me,'" Straughan said team behind the film, which is an adaptation of the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, had been "so lovely" to work with."We've all been on this journey together." 'Full-circle moment' Straughan said Tyneside arts organisations had been "absolutely vital" to his thanked New Writing North, which helps develop writers in the north-east of England, and Live Theatre in Newcastle."Both of those organisations are vital for giving writers both a financial backing but also the self-belief that you could do this."He described the "surreal" moment he spoke at an event at the Live Theatre Company a few weeks ago, where he was welcomed on stage as a Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominated said he had acted on that same stage as a student when he was first thinking about a career in said it was a "full-circle moment".The writer said he had a lot of projects in the pipeline."There's lots to work on," Straughan said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
