A gripping new film, "Conclave," opens with the sudden death of the Pope, setting the stage for a dramatic gathering of cardinals in Rome tasked with electing a new leader of the Catholic Church. Based on Robert Harris's 2016 novel, the film explores the collision of faith and ambition within the Vatican's hallowed halls. Directed by German-Austrian filmmaker Edward Berger, "Conclave" is a standout in this year's Bafta nominations, earning recognition in 12 categories, including Best Editing.
At the center of "Conclave" is the character of the dean of the College of Cardinals, who undertakes the formidable task of organizing the Papal Conclave. The film features an impressive cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, bringing depth and nuance to this tense narrative.
Nick Emerson, the film's editor, drew inspiration from his early career experiences in the BBC Newsroom in Belfast and his fascination with 1970s American political thrillers. Emerson's editing style is praised for its suspenseful pacing and visual storytelling, with shots that hold slightly longer than expected to create tension. He remarked on his journey from factual TV to feature films, saying:
"I found myself doing factual TV and now feature films. It's the process, that's the joy of it for me." – Nick Emerson
Emerson also shared his excitement about the film's reception:
"We watched the live stream. And we were just jumping up and down, screaming," – Nick Emerson
The film's approach to storytelling was deliberate and boundary-pushing. Berger and Emerson aimed to replicate the tension and intrigue of 70s thrillers, focusing on maintaining pace while holding shots for maximum impact. Emerson explained:
"In our approach Edward was really keen to push boundaries on how long we could hold shots and maintain rigour but also keep an eye on the pace." – Nick Emerson
"Conclave" is not the first film to depict a papal conclave, but its dramatic depiction of behind-the-scenes scheming makes it one of the most notable. As Emerson noted:
"The action is people behind closed doors, scheming," – Nick Emerson
The film's success extends beyond Bafta nominations. It is a strong contender for next month's Oscars, with potential recognition for Best Picture. Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci are also in contention for individual acting awards.
This project was a passion for both Emerson and Berger, who aspired to capture the essence of the thrillers they admired growing up. Emerson reflected on his early days in journalism and how it shaped his cinematic vision:
"Working in the BBC newsroom at the start of my career was a really exciting place to be," – Nick Emerson
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