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Conclave

"Conclave" is a 2024 political thriller film directed by Edward Berger and adapted from the novel of the same name by Robert Harris (2016). The film follows the process of the conclave, a closed-door meeting of cardinals of the Catholic Church to elect a new pope after the death of the previous Pope from a heart attack. The story focuses on Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who presides over the conclave amid political intrigue, scandals, and secrets revealed among the Cardinals. The Film features ideological conflicts, personal ambitions, and moral dilemmas, with the culmination being a shocking plot twist about Cardinal Benitez, who is elected Pope Innocent. Starring renowned actors such as Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave” was praised for its clever script, stunning cinematography, and strong acting. The Film won numerous awards, including four 2025 BAFTAs and a Best Picture nomination at the 2025 Oscars. The length of the film is two hours, with a PG-13 rating in some regions due to adult themes and minor scenes of violence (bomb explosions).

Compatibility with Children

The Film "Conclave" is poorly suited for children, especially under the age of 13, for the following reasons:

Adult themes and content: The Film focuses on political intrigues, scandals (including corruption, sex scandals and finance), as well as complex moral dilemmas, which are difficult for children to understand. Themes such as intersex (Cardinal Benitez's condition) and discussions of intolerance or violence can be confusing or inappropriate for young audiences.
Dialog Berat dan Driven by Narrative: "Conclave" is a dialogue-driven film with sharp and deep conversations, which may be boring for children who prefer stories with visual action or light entertainment.
Scenes Of Mild Violence: Although not graphic, the film includes scenes of suicide bomb explosions that cause tension, which can irritate sensitive children.
Complex religious context: The Film depicts the conclave process in a Catholic setting, but presents a critical view of church institutions, including distortions of Catholic teaching, which can lead to confusion or difficult questions for children who do not yet understand the religious context.

Age Recommendation:

Children under 13 years old: Not recommended due to adult themes, complex dialogue, and mild violence elements.
Teenagers (13-17 years old): Can watch with parental guidance, especially if they are interested in political or historical dramas. Parents are advised to discuss themes such as politics, morality, and religious representations to help understand the context. A PG-13 Rating supports this guide.
Note to ParentsTip : If the child is watching, discuss that the film is fiction, not a historical representation, to avoid misconceptions about the Catholic Church. Also, explain sensitive themes such as intersex or ideological conflicts in a way that is appropriate for their age.

Alternatives for childrenTip: for children, consider films with lighter, age-appropriate themes, such as animated films (“Inside Out 2”) or family dramas (“The Princess Diaries”) that are easier to understand and do not contain heavy themes.

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Full Synopsis Of The Novel Conclave Robert Harris ' S

Conclave, a political thriller novel by Robert Harris published in 2016, chronicles the intrigues, ambitions, and secrets behind the process of electing a new pope in a Vatican conclave following the death of the previous Pope. Set against the backdrop of a sacred yet tense atmosphere in the Vatican, the novel depicts the dynamics of power, moral conflicts, and scandals that shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Here is the most complete synopsis of the novel:

Background Story

The story begins with the sudden death of the Pope, the Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church, who died of a heart attack. This death triggered the conduct of the conclave, an ancient and secret ritual in which cardinals from all over the world gather in the Vatican to elect a new Pope. This process was carried out in the Sistine Chapel, where the Cardinals were quarantined in the Domus Sanctae Marthae in order to preserve the secrecy and integrity of the elections. The Novel focuses on three crucial days during the conclave, during which political intrigues, personal ambitions, and dark secrets unfold one by one.

Main Characters

The central characters in the novel are Cardinal Thomas Lomeli, an English cardinal who served as dean of the College of Cardinals. Lomeli is humble, skeptical, and struggles with his own faith. He is in charge of presiding over conclaves, ensuring proceedings proceed according to Vatican rules, and maintaining order amid inter-Cardinal tensions. Lomeli is not a candidate for Pope, but his position puts him at the center of a moral and political storm as he uncovers secrets that could shake the Church.

Core Story

After the death of the Pope, Lomeli immediately prepared for the conclave, inviting Cardinals from all over the world to Rome. The Novel introduces the four main candidates championed for the papacy, each representing different views and factions within the Catholic Church:

Kardinal Aldo Bellini (United States), a progressive who supported the modernization of the church, but feared a setback if radical factions came to power.
Kardinal Joshua Adeyemi (Nigeria), a social conservative who is popular among Catholics in developing countries, but has controversial views on social issues.
Kardinal Joseph Tremblay (Canada), an ambitious moderate, but had a reputation tinged with rumors about his integrity.
Kardinal Goffredo Tedesco (Italy), a traditionalist who wanted to return the church to conservative values and rejected the Reformation.

As the conclave began, the Cardinals split into fiercely competing factions, each trying to rally support for their favorite candidate. To be elected Pope, a cardinal must get a minimum of two-thirds of the vote (75 votes) in a secret ballot in the Sistine Chapel. However, this process is far from smooth. Lomeli, who initially only wants to carry out his duties neutrally, begins to find clues about scandals and secrets involving the main candidates.

Conflicts and disclosure of Secrets

As the vote progresses, Lomeli uncovers various secrets that shake the integrity of the conclave:

Financial Scandal: One of the candidates turned out to be involved in the non-transparent management of church funds, prompting questions about his morality.
Personal Issues: A candidate has a controversial past, including personal relationships that can damage his reputation.
Political Conspiracy: There are indications that some Cardinals engaged in vote trading and manipulation to influence the outcome of the conclave.
Death Of The Pope: The mystery surrounding the previous Pope's death begins to unfold, with hints that the death may not have been entirely natural.

In the midst of an increasingly chaotic process, an unexpected event occurs: the emergence of Kardinal Vincent Benitez, a young bishop from Kabul, Afghanistan, who claimed to have been secretly appointed by the previous Pope. Benitez's presence came as a surprise to all Cardinals, as no one knew of his existence before. Benitez, who was not initially considered a serious candidate, began to attract attention for his humble demeanor and impartial vision.

Meanwhile, the outside world also influenced the atmosphere of the conclave. News of the Pope's death sparked media speculation, and suicide bomb attacks by extremists in Europe added to pressure on Cardinals to choose a leader who can unite Catholics amid a global crisis. Sister Agnes, a wise nun, played an important role by giving Lomeli a moral outlook, reminding him of the great responsibility of the decisions taken in the conclave.

Klimaks dan Plot Twist

After several rounds of tense voting, the conclave reached a critical point. The main candidates failed to get a majority of the votes as the revealed scandal weakened their positions. In an increasingly tense atmosphere, Lomeli sought to uncover the truth behind Benitez's secret before the final result was announced. He discovered that the previous pope had deliberately concealed Benitez's identity to protect the Church from potential controversy.

At the climax of the story, Cardinal Benitez surprisingly elected as The New Pope, taking the name Paus Innocent. However, before the official announcement, Lomeli discovered a big secret about Benitez: he was born as intersex, a condition that makes it have both male and female biological characteristics. Benitez revealed that he learned of his condition as an adult and chose not to undergo surgery, believing that God created him as he is. The previous pope knew this and nevertheless appointed him Cardinal, seeing Benitez as a symbol of humility and renewal of the Church.

Lomeli was faced with a moral dilemma: should he reveal this secret, which has the potential to shake the foundations of the Catholic Church, or keep it for the sake of maintaining stability and respecting the beliefs of previous popes? In the end, Lomeli chose to remain silent, letting Pope Innocent greet Catholics from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica as a new leader who brings hope for modernity and redemption.

Main Themes

Conclave explore a number of in-depth themes:

Power and ambition: The Novel illustrates how personal ambition and political intrigue can permeate even religious institutions such as the Catholic Church.
Morality vs. Pragmatism: Lomeli continues to struggle between upholding moral truth and making pragmatic decisions for the good of the Church.
Tradition vs. Modernity: The conflict between progressive and conservative factions reflects the church's challenges in dealing with the modern world.
Faith and doubt: Lomeli, as the main character, represents the inner struggle between spiritual beliefs and human doubts.
Secrets and conspiracies: The Novel is full of mysteries and plot twists that highlight the dark side behind a process considered sacred.

Writing Style

Robert Harris, known for historical novels and thrillers such as Fatherland and The Ghost Writer, presenting Conclave with a slow but gripping narrative style, similar to The Da Vinci Code the work of Dan Brown. The dialogue is sharp, full of symbolism and balanced by rich visual descriptions of the grandeur of the Vatican. Harris managed to create a tense atmosphere without the need for physical action, relying only on psychological tension and political drama.

Conclusion

Conclave is a witty and provocative political thriller, which not only entertains but also invites the reader to reflect on the nature of power, faith, and morality. With complex characters, a plot full of surprises and a realistic depiction of the conclave process, the novel manages to capture the essence of one of the most secret rituals in the world. The culmination of the story, with the reveal of the new Pope's identity, becomes a controversial but meaningful plot twist, highlighting progressive issues such as inclusivity and acceptance within traditional institutions.

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Conclave

Full Synopsis Of The Novel Conclave Robert Harris ' S

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