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.”

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.

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.”

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