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
The first episode of a podcast hosted by AI replicating Sir Michael Parkinson has been released – and comedian and podcaster Jenny Eclair has branded it a “terrible, terrible idea”.
The podcast Virtually Parkinson sees AI technology synthetically recreate the late presenter’s voice and style to interview real-life celebrities.
Known for his interviews with the world’s biggest stars, Parkinson died in 2023 aged 88, following a brief illness.
The first episode released on Monday saw the Parkinson AI speak to R&B singer Jason Derulo, who was answering questions about his upbringing, fatherhood and fracturing part of his neck.
Eclair, who co-hosts the podcast Older and Wider with Judith Holder, said it made her “furious”.
Jenny Eclair, pictured in 2015, co-hosts the podcast Older and Wider. Pic: PA
Speaking about the podcast on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Eclair, 64, said: “I’m furious, because there are living people like me who’ve still got mortgages, I’ve just actually mostly got rid of mine.
“But there’s not enough room. I know he was dearly loved and that sort of thing but there’s loads of back catalogue content that people can help themselves to.
“This is a terrible, terrible idea, we’re all fighting over the same space you know, the podcasts and the telly, and everybody’s desperately trying to say ‘me over here, please listen to my stuff’.
“I’ve got a podcast and I don’t think I can compete with Michael Parkinson, even when he’s not living and breathing.”
Michael Parkinson and Dame Helen Mirren. Pic: Rex
Virtually Parkinson’s producers Deep Fusion Films, who created the show with the support and involvement of Parkinson’s family and estate, said: “Jenny’s comments are precisely why the podcast was created, AI is a subject which people have strong opinions about, but is AI as scary as people think it is?
“Is it really coming for people’s jobs? Virtually Parkinson exists to explore the relationship between AI and humans, it simply couldn’t do that without having an AI host, so this is not a case of an AI replacing a human job.
“In fact, the podcast is launched at a time when the creative sector has been hit very hard and many find themselves out of work and Virtually Parkinson has created 15 jobs, which otherwise wouldn’t have existed.”
‘A tribute to my dad’
It was Parkinson’s son, Mike Parkinson, who reached out to the company with the idea of creating the podcast as a way to preserve his father’s legacy, calling it “a tribute to my dad”.
Deep Fusion was already using AI technology – dubbed “Squawk” – to allow live humans to speak with voices from the past.
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When Mike Parkinson reached out, Deep Fusion drew from a back catalogue of more than 2,000 of his father’s interviews to recreate his voice and interview technique.
The company also expanded to create the project, hiring a new head of creative AI, an AI prompt engineer, researchers, guest bookers, podcast producers, and a sound engineer.
When the podcast was first announced last year, Mike Parkinson said: “I want audiences to marvel at the technology, the cleverness and cheekiness of the concept, but mostly I want them to remember just how good he was at interviewing and enjoy the nostalgia and happy memories.
“Through this platform, his legacy can continue, entertaining a new generation of fans.”
Podcast comes as government embraces AI future
The show’s launch has coincided with the government’s pledge to “mainline AI into the veins” of the UK, claiming that if AI is “fully embraced”, it could bring £47bn to the economy every year.
Announcing his goals to make the UK “the world leader” in AI, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people.
“But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by. We must move fast and take action to win the global race.”
Entertainment
Dancing On Ice dedicated to The Vivienne as vigil held in Liverpool to remember drag queen
RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne was remembered at a vigil in their home city of Liverpool on Sunday night.
James Lee Williams, originally from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, died on 5 January aged 32.
Hundreds of fans and friends of The Vivienne gathered at Liverpool‘s St George’s Hall.
Buildings across the city were lit up in green to commemorate the drag queen and their role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard Of Oz musical.
Fellow drag queen Danny Beard said the vigil was “a celebration of someone who touched the lives of so many”.
“The Vivienne was one of the world’s most recognisable drag queens, a proper world class entertainer,” they added.
“And above all a shining beacon in all of our lives and especially for the LGBT community.”
James Lee Williams – better known as The Vivienne. Pic: PA
Since The Vivienne first rose to prominence in 2019, they appeared on a number of TV programmes, including Blankety Blank over the Christmas period.
The first episode in the series of Dancing On Ice on Sunday night also featured a tribute to The Vivienne, who competed on the 2023 series.
Presenter Holly Willoughby said many would have been “saddened by the tragic news”.
“They were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023,” she added.
“They will be very sorely missed and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.”
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In a tribute released after Mr Williams’s death, a Dancing On Ice spokesperson said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
They said Mr Williams had made “TV history through their groundbreaking and spellbinding skating partnership”, becoming the first drag act to reach the Dancing On Ice final.
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