Ralph Fiennes on Conclave: ‘It’s not a facile takedown of the Catholic Church’
Ralph Fiennes has admitted he has taken the “paycheck role” now and again during his career.
The renowned British actor, who stars in the new religious and political drama Conclave, told Sky News it is human nature when actors “succumb to cynicism” for “monetary gain” – but it doesn’t mean the industry as a whole is in a bad place.
“I do have faith that good films can be made that contribute to our cultural life and the same as the theatre,” he said. “But do we have moments of doubt that it’s full of corruption, opportunism? Have we indeed ourselves participated in the paycheck film and it’s not been that great?
“Yes. I mean, we can have our ideals and then we can, of course, succumb to it, can succumb to cynicism, monetary gain.”
Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence. Pic: Philippe Antonello/Focus Features 2024
In Conclave, which is based on the Robert Harris novel of the same name, Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence, the clergyman responsible for the selection of the next Pope and leader of the Catholic Church.
The film, which also stars Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Lucian Msamati, is tipped for awards success in the coming months.
Fiennes, who is known for his Oscar-nominated roles in Schindler’s List and The English Patient, as well as his portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film adaptations, said Conclave doesn’t shy away from the controversies surrounding the Catholic Church.
Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Tucci as Cardinal Bellini. Pic: Focus Features 2024
The film looks deeply at what it means to be human and what happens when you are faced with the path of success, he said.
“I think Robert Harris’s book and the subsequent strong script, they’re very smart about it, it’s not a facile takedown of the Catholic Church. I think it approaches it with curiosity…
“There’s obviously corruption. There are all kinds of transgressions that we know about that have taken place, but it also exists because the Catholic Church also offers, I think, a sort of support to communities. It’s a foundational place to go where the community has a structure, so I think it’s a big thing to sort of open up and discuss.”
Isabella Rossellini plays Sister Agnes. Pic: Focus Features 2024
Tucci, who plays another cardinal, said the politically charged film reflects on the environment the world finds itself in nowadays.
“Extremist views, whether they’re political or religious, are becoming more and more prominent – look at what’s happening in America,” the star said. “So I think that there will be a lot of people, Catholics or devout religious people, who might be offended by that sort of twist in this.
“Then, of course, there are others who will just enjoy it for what it is – which is, to me, a fascinating examination of a process and of this group of people.”
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Rossellini, who plays Sister Agnes, said she found it intriguing to play the only woman with any authority in a “sea” of men.
The character watches on as more than 100 high-ranking clergymen, each with their own checkered past, aim to elect the next Catholic figurehead while sealed off from the public in the secretive voting process.
“It is her role to remain silent, to not disagree with the cardinals,” Rossellini said. But in her silence, “there is a lot of information and a lot of presence”.
Conclave is in cinemas now
Oasis have said they are “shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan” at their Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday.
Together with their bandmates, Liam and Noel Gallagher have offered their “sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved”.
Metropolitan Police said officers on duty at the stadium responded, alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service, to reports a person had been injured at around 10.20pm.
The statement continued: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
According to media reports, the man fell from the stadium’s upper tier.
A concertgoer on social media said they saw the incident and described it as “horrific”.
Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage at their first reunion gig. Pic: AP
Metropolitan Police said: “The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”
Oasis performed at the venue as planned on Sunday night, delivering the final concert of a five-night run at Wembley.
Addressing fans at the stadium, singer Liam said: “This one’s for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean, and aren’t they looking lovely. Live Forever.”
The band then played the track of the same name.
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Oasis support act Richard Ashcroft paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I was shocked to hear of the death of one of the audience last night sending my love to the family and friends.”
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.”
They will then head to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States, before returning to Wembley for two more dates in September.
The reunion tour began at the start of July and marks the Gallagher brothers’ first performances together since Oasis split acrimoniously in 2009.
The BBC has responded after it was reported that two Strictly Come Dancing stars have been accused of taking cocaine.
The broadcaster is said to have hired an external law firm to probe the drug-taking allegations, which a source said were “well-known” on the show, The Sun on Sunday reports.
The claims were reportedly made on behalf of celebrity contestant Wynne Evans in a legal submission to the BBC in March.
In response, a BBC spokesperson told Sky News: “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
Sky News understands that it is not unusual for the BBC to engage an external individual to provide additional expert resource to help deliver a BBC-led investigation. In these cases, they would report to an established BBC team.
PA file pic
The allegations published in The Sun on Sunday include a source saying that one Strictly star had told another about a third celebrity on the show: “Have you seen their pupils… they’re off their face.”
“The BBC have known about these allegations for some time, and acknowledged receiving them. Now they are taking firm action,” the source reportedly said.
The two individuals accused of drug taking have not been named.
It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC and Strictly.
In July last year, Amanda Abbington accused Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of “abusive or threatening behaviour”. The actress, who was paired with Pernice, withdrew from the show in 2023.
The BBC upheld “some, but not all” of the allegations, with Abbington describing an apology from the corporation as a “vindication”, while Pernice denied displaying “abusive or threatening behaviour”.
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Also in July 2024, Strictly professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima confirmed he was leaving the show amid reports of alleged misconduct.
Separately, Laura Whitmore alleged “inappropriate behaviour” during her time on the show.
In January this year, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made “inappropriate and unacceptable” comments at the Strictly Come Dancing live tour launch, for which he later apologised.
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