One of the best films of 2024 is Conclave, and it will certainly top many critics’ top 10 lists. It’s a quiet narrative that doesn’t have a lot going on on the surface, but that’s the beauty of Edward Berger‘s film: what you don’t see is the most interesting part of the story. In a way, it’s very much like a duck whose feet are swimming feverously under the water to get to its destination.
The film is utterly gorgeous – the sets, locations and costumes dazzle – and in a story about holy men serving an ideal, we get to see crisis of conscience, infighting and scheming behind the walls of The Vatican. But this is not a soap opera. It is an understated film, and one that needs a sound to echo off the immaculately crafted stone sanctuary. Composer Volker Bertelmann found opportunities in the serene and subtle moments to underscore or amplify exchanges in quiet chambers, stairwells, or loggias. It is textbook spotting and certainly proves that less is more.
However, to serve the story while also making this unique, Bertelmann found a confluence of traditional instruments as well as technical tweaks and unconventional sounds. The juxtaposition yields something mysterious that plays like an an allegory to religion itself. As we enter awards season, we’re sure this film will do well. It’s a winner, but the only real question is how many awards it will take home?
Now if you’re a film score fan, Conclave has already kind of taken the gold. The soundtrack was released through Made By Mutant and the album artwork sports some truly handsome and well-placed gold accents as well as the vinyl itself. It’s stunning. Check out our interview with Volker and you might just be compelled to pick up a copy yourself. Enjoy this episode of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience!
From director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church.
CONCLAVE is now available on Digital platforms and Blu-ray to watch at home this holiday season!
