LONDON — Renowned author Robert Harris, famous for penning “Conclave,” has no plans to stay up all night watching the Oscars. Due to being in a different time zone, and a preference to catch up on the results the next day, Harris plans to avoid the suspense. On Sunday night, the movie adaptation of his book, which is nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, will be the focal point of interest.
Currently, the film isn’t positioned as the frontrunner, yet Harris feels optimistic about its odds. Laughing, he expressed, “It’s not the favorite, but it’s probably started to creep up to become a second favorite. So who knows.” The author is settled in his study, a former church office in Southeast England, where he writes in the mornings. At the moment, he’s in the preliminary phase of a new novel.
Harris’s “Conclave,” a novel that explores the intricacies of politics and power through the lens of a papal election, remains a popular topic. Inspired by the 2005 conclave electing Pope Benedict XVI, the book has been transformed into a screenplay by Peter Straughan and brought to cinematic life by director Edward Berger, featuring actors like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini.
Reflecting on the film’s reception during the awards season, Harris is thrilled. “I think that they did a brilliant job, in every department,” he remarked. He believes the screenplay’s faithfulness to the book is a testament to Straughan’s talent. This acclaim has translated to a resurgence in book sales, particularly after recent award engagements.
In discussing the novel’s adaptation to the screen, Harris shared his thoughts on audiences reading the book before watching the film. He suggested, “There’s a lot more about the cardinal’s crisis of faith,” emphasizing the book’s deeper dive into characters’ complexities and the storied history of papal elections.
About Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of the lead character’s inner struggle, Harris commends Fiennes’ ability to convey deep emotional shifts silently. “His face does register every twist and turn,” Harris said, noting Fiennes’ skill in expressing a wide range of emotions with just his facial expressions.
Although he visited the production set designed to mimic the Sistine Chapel, Harris didn’t maintain a significant presence during filming. He was delighted when the film’s team, including Fiennes and Berger, consulted him about character changes proposed for the adaptation.
Despite not being invited to the Oscars, Harris isn’t troubled by it. He reflected on the twist ending of “Conclave,” acknowledging it has always sparked diverse reactions, from admiration to frustration. His intent with the novel was to pose significant questions to the church. The varied reception hasn’t changed much with the film; it continues to provoke thought and dialogue among audiences.
Harris prides himself on the work’s accuracy, grounding it in the factual processes observed in real-life papal conclaves, while acknowledging that secrecy often veils such events. He hopes that the story offers an accurate depiction of these religious proceedings.
As for the recent news concerning Pope Francis’ health, Harris expressed his sympathy but has declined to make any speculative comments about future conclaves, considering it distasteful to capitalize on such sensitive issues. He wishes Pope Francis well, hoping for more years ahead for the pontiff.
