A lot of Edward Berger’s gripping papal thriller “Conclave” unfolds within the shadows. Alliances shift and break in dim stairwells, tense accusations fly in darkish corridors and secrets and techniques are uncovered within the lamp-lit privateness of the papal condo — all at risk of upending the centuries-old course of to elect the following pope. So when a surprising revelation (warning: spoilers forward!) within the movie’s remaining act and an surprising tragedy solid a harsh new gentle on the cardinals within the working, it appears like a dizzying launch.
The extra progressive Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) factors the finger at traditionalist Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), telling him he needs to be ashamed of himself. An unflinching Tedesco whips the group right into a frenzy with speak of a spiritual struggle as former front-runner for the papacy Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) sits again in shame and Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) stands frozen in dismay over the proceedings he’s misplaced management of. Then, Cardinal Benítez (Carlos Diehz) stands up.
Poised and calm, he tells the group, “Forgive me, but in these last few days, we have shown ourselves to be small, petty men, concerned only in ourselves, in Rome, in the election, and in power.”
Appointed by the late pope “en pectore,” or in secret, Benítez’s very presence is a menace to the cautious steadiness of the conclave. In distinction to his counterparts, he radiates a tranquil vitality that serves as an antidote to the petty politics and drama enjoying out among the many high candidates. Although he hasn’t campaigned, and whereas he was fully unknown to the opposite cardinals previous to their gathering, by the point Benítez addresses the group, he’s the darkish horse of the election.
It’s an arresting efficiency, one made all of the extra spectacular by the truth that it’s Diehz’s function movie debut. At 53 years outdated, the Vancouver-based actor determined to present appearing a attempt in 2020, showing in just a few brief movies till reserving his breakout position in “Conclave.” Born and raised in Mexico Metropolis, he’s labored primarily as an architect (he nonetheless works for a similar Canadian agency right this moment) for the final 30 years.
De Los spoke with Diehz about his unorthodox journey to the display, the inspiration for his efficiency as Cardinal Benítez and discovering the arrogance to be himself. The next interview has been edited for readability and size.
Carlos Diehz makes his display debut as Cardinal Benitez in “Conclave.”
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Had you ever considered pursuing appearing earlier than changing into an architect?
I’ve all the time been inclined to the humanities since I used to be a child — drawing, clay modeling, all that — then, afterward, after I realized the individuals I noticed within the films have been performing, they have been appearing because the characters, I assumed possibly I’d like to do this. However I used to be a really shy child, a daydreamer. I made a decision to present appearing a attempt in highschool, however the youngsters in theater have been actually, actually flashy and outgoing, and it was simply an excessive amount of for me. Later, I had an opportunity to be in a film as an additional, however after I had the digicam in entrance of me, it was so intimidating. I used to be given this loopy instruction to face up and shout all of the unhealthy phrases I knew. I freaked out, and the director mentioned, “OK, never mind. Not you.” They selected another person. In order that was nearly my massive break. [Laughs]
Why did you resolve to present it one other attempt later in life?
Most likely 4 or 5 years in the past, my spouse and I grew to become empty nesters, and I wished to study to do one thing new. I didn’t have the time or the cash to return to school, so it wanted to be one thing I may study alone. I considered appearing once more and determined to present it a go. Then the pandemic hit. All the pieces was closed, however I discovered this workshop on-line and signed up for that. Proper off the bat, the coach mentioned, “If you’re doing this just to feel good about yourself or to get a hobby, don’t waste my time and don’t waste your time, because this is the show business. Is not the show charity or the show hobby. Take it seriously.” Within the courses, having the ability to rework into another person, to channel a distinct persona, was a lot enjoyable that I mentioned, “Yes, this is my new passion. This is what I want.” So after practising structure for 30 years — I nonetheless am working in structure — I discovered this new ardour that was so thrilling.
On the floor, it doesn’t look like there could be loads of crossover between structure and appearing, however do you discover any similarities in the way you strategy them?
I believe there are, as a result of each are artistic. In structure, you might be assembly loads of necessities for the shopper and for the authorities, and you must meet sure requirements. Performing has comparable calls for. You could have your creativeness, you place your self into the character, however you continue to must adjust to the imaginative and prescient of the director, the technical necessities, and you must be a part of a workforce. You set loads of your self on the road while you painting a personality. You don’t rework solely into another person, however you’re channeling them by means of you.
Rising up in Mexico Metropolis, have been there any actors who stood out to you and formed you?
The golden period of Mexican cinema was very theatrical. I’d admire how Pedro Infante may very well be this humble carpenter [in “Nosotros los Pobres”], after which he may very well be a motorbike policeman [in “A.T.M. ¡A toda máquina!”] Having the ability to tackle these roles with the identical charisma was very fascinating and engaging to me.
Casting director Nina Gold has spoken concerning the worldwide casting search to search out Cardinal Benítez. What do you bear in mind concerning the preliminary description of the character?
The preliminary description of him principally talked about his physicality — that he was a slim, mixed-race man. My agent thought I used to be a very good match for it, so she despatched out my demo reel, they usually invited me to audition. After the primary audition, I bought the e book. I learn it twice within the subsequent couple of weeks, so I knew the entire story. After which for the second audition, they gave me the entire script, and I noticed it was very trustworthy to the e book, which I used to be very glad about.
The casting course of took three months, with a number of rounds of auditions. What was that have like?
It was actually daunting, and there was loads of self-doubt. I simply needed to maintain trusting the method, and inform myself that they favored me sufficient to have that first callback, they usually favored what they noticed sufficient to ask me again once more, and so forth. When it got here time for the ultimate callback in Rome, I simply saved pondering, “Don’t overdo it, just do what you did.” However you’re there with Nina Gold, Edward Berger and the producers. No strain, proper? [Laughs] I needed to simply maintain it regular, observe their course, and discover the candy spot of the emotion and the timing.
As an actor, you have been about to make your function debut alongside some legendary performers. However as Father Benítez, your presence needed to be grounded, and nearly freed from any doubts. How did you sq. these realities?
The mindset I needed to have was, “I belong here,” regardless that I used to be pondering, “Am I going to be able to perform at the level where I can share the screen with these giant actors?” It was a strategy of build up my vanity, and there have been loads of each day affirmations concerned. Actually, every single day, I used to be saying, “I belong here. I got this role.” Even being in Rome, going to the units, I needed to get up and do this train over and over, and open myself as much as the assist and generosity of the opposite actors. That was surprising. Not that I assumed they’d be chilly, however they actually did assist information me, and that was the most effective factor of all with this expertise.
Additionally, after being an architect for 30 years, you must face some actually, actually troublesome conditions with buyers and authorities, and there’s no second take. There’s no reset — you simply have to have the ability to ship. So in that sense, my expertise in structure was truly actually useful right here.
Working alongside veteran actors, Diehz mentioned, “The mindset I had to have was, ‘I belong here.’”
(Kristine Cofsky Images)
Did the expertise of portraying Cardinal Benítez educate you something about your self? Did you join with the character’s struggles in any means?
I believe in life, we discover ourselves in sure conditions the place you’re feeling such as you don’t belong. Perhaps you face rejection, or harassment from different individuals. You may really feel like one thing’s fallacious with you, however you must construct up your character, and discover a option to love and settle for your self for who you might be. Benítez has achieved that. That’s what offers him the arrogance to face beside these different cardinals and keep loyal to who he’s, but additionally to confront everybody who’s lacking the purpose on this train of choosing the following pope, everybody who’s forgotten the necessities of the robes they’re sporting. That’s the fantastic thing about the character, is his assurance that when he’s on the best path, he gained’t again down.
Screenwriter Peter Straughan mentioned that one of many issues he hoped audiences would take away from the movie could be certainly one of Cardinal Benítez’s traces about figuring out what it means to exist between certainties. What do you hope audiences go away the movie with?
That everyone has a alternative. All of us have free will. I believe this film asks you to query the very nature of your soul, your physique, your thoughts, and the way you work together with the world round you. A few of these characters have extra versatile morals, a few of them select to stay to the foundations, and somebody like Benítez decides to embrace his nature. He believes that he was made by God’s will, and he sticks to that. Perhaps that’s what makes him extra compassionate, extra loving, extra caring. The film is concerning the doubt, the leaps of religion that maintain every of them shifting ahead, and the alternatives they make to both embrace their nature or flip away from it.
Your character has a number of very shifting scenes one-on-one with Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence, however I believe the most effective moments within the movie is when Cardinal Benítez addresses the remainder of the conclave. How did you put together for that scene?
I’ll inform you the distinction in inspiration versus execution. The inspiration going into it was [Franco Zeffirelli’s 1977 TV series] “Jesus of Nazareth,” when Jesus goes into the temple and kicks out the retailers, as a result of they’re making a enterprise out of religion. Right here, everyone seems to be attempting to make use of the scenario that the church goes by means of to realize assist for themselves.
However in execution, are you able to truly think about being there in entrance of everybody? [Laughs] I had simply gone from capturing the scene with Ralph Fiennes out on the patio the place we talked concerning the turtles. That was one on one, however now I used to be in entrance of everybody. Ralph, Stanley, John, Sergio — everybody was listening to me.
The night time earlier than, I actually freaked out, and I requested John Lithgow for recommendation. From day one, he had advised me, “I’m going to be your secret coach.” So I went to him and mentioned, “OK, secret coach, I need your help, please.” He invited me over to his condo to debate it, and we talked about stage fright. He mentioned, “Stage fright is always there, it’s just about how you manage it. You need to be empowered, and you have to know that when you deliver a speech, you own the scene. You control the pace. You set the tone. You determine your intonation, how you’re going to handle the emotional shifts, everything. Nobody is going to cut you off, or tackle you, or call a direction. They’re going to let you run this whole scene from beginning to end. And once you’re done, you’ll get some direction, you’ll try to incorporate it, and you’ll do it over again. But every single time, you own the scene.”
Did that translate on the day of?
One of many issues that my first coach ever advised us is, “Everyone Is cheering for you, because everybody wants you to do your best.” That’s the way it felt that day. However nonetheless, once we have been about to shoot that scene, I had the microphone right here [on my chest], and Edward Berger comes near me, and says, “Are you OK? Do you need anything?” I advised him I used to be fantastic, and he says, “I can hear your heartbeat.” I had no concept, however I advised him, “Well, if the heartbeat is coming through in the sound, maybe it would be a good idea to keep it in the background, because it’s a very heartfelt speech, right?” I don’t know in the event that they used it, however it was enjoyable to know that he may hear it.
You and the remainder of the solid have been getting rave critiques to your performances, what’s up subsequent for you?
There are just a few exhibits of curiosity that my agent and I are taking a look at however can’t speak about but. I simply hope that this expertise will result in much more attention-grabbing, difficult experiences. That’s all I can hope for at this level. It’s been overwhelming the massive reception that this has had, however it’s very encouraging, and I’ll maintain working with that.
Cat Cardenas is a Latina author and photographer based mostly in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ and different publications.
