CARDINAL Thomas Lawrence is tasked with one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – the selection of a new pope.
Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Rising Sun Film Society presents Academy Award-winning movie Conclave on Sunday, August 17 at Moree RSL Regional Military Museum cinema room.
Conclave is a political thriller made in 2024 and directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan.
The movie, made jointly in the United Kingdom and the United States, is based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel by the same name.
The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini, with Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, played by Fiennes, tasked with organising a conclave to elect the next pope.
But Cardinal Lawrence finds himself investigating secrets and scandals about the major candidates.
Conclave was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and among other accolades, won four awards – including Best Film – at the 78th British Academy Film Awards.
Conclave also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
At the 97th Academy Awards, Conclave received eight nominations, including Best Picture, and won Best Adapted Screenplay.
Shade Studios reviewer and editor-in-chief Alfred Castaneda said Conclave is “beautifully crafted, expertly acted and pushes the boundaries enough to shock us without being disturbing”.
“What makes Conclave such a triumph isn’t the stellar acting, beautiful cinematography or the dramatically intense soundtrack, but that it’s the most original story in the religious genre in years,” he wrote.
Rising Sun Film Society presents Conclave
When: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Where: Moree RSL Regional Military Museum (old town library building)
Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start
Cost: $15 with a light supper provided
Origin: United Kingdom and United States
Rating: PG
Length: 120 minutes
Enquiries: 0408 651863
Official trailer: Conclave
