John Lithgow puts Conclave's success down to 'extraordinary storytelling'
John Lithgow believes the success of his movie 'Conclave' comes down to "extraordinary storytelling" because "you just don’t see storytelling on film like that much anymore".
John Lithgow believes the success of 'Conclave' is down to "extraordinary storytelling".
The 79-year-old actor plays a Canadian Cardinal in 'Conclave' - which focuses on the fictional story of a papal election - and it was the big winner at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday (23.02.25) picking up the night's top prize for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - and Lithgow is convinced the secret to its success is simply down to the story.
Speaking in the winners' room at the ceremony, Lithgow told reporters: "We shot this film a year ago in January and things have changed so deeply all over the world in the zeitgeist, for want of a better word.
"I think the film has ended up extremely timely, and it’s very entertaining because it’s extraordinary storytelling and the social organism, electing a leader."
The actor went on to add: "Elections have become a great big, important subject of our time. And the last [U.S.] election, and the election that took place just yesterday in Germany; these are extremely important events right now.
"You cannot help seeing Conclave and not thinking of what happens when different tribes quarrel trying to decide on who is their leader.
"I think that’s one big reason people are paying attention to Conclave beyond the fact that it’s simply a beautiful film. You just don’t see storytelling on film like that much anymore."
During the ceremony at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, the cast of 'Conclave' - which is nominated for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards - sent a message to Pope Francis as he remains in hospital in critical condition battling double pneumonia and bronchitis.
Speaking before a montage of the film was played, castmember actress Isabella Rossellini said: "First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery."
Backstage, she later added: "Pope Francis, I wish him well. In our film, we analyzed the election of a new pope, which is very secretive, taking place within the Vatican in in the beautiful room that was painted by Michelangelo the Sistine Chapel that we reproduced.
"As Italians, we are familiar, more familiar than maybe foreigners, with the debate within the church that are very similar to the debate in every society: the role of the gays, conservative, progressive, the role of women.
"So Sergio [castmember Sergio Castellitto] and I were more familiar, maybe than all of you, but we don’t know exactly what happens during the Conclave. "The film reveals the possible debates."
Sergio Castellitto added: "For us that live in Rome, to live at a few meters, few yards from the Pope is to have a much closer relationship. "We see the helicopter leaving his place: ‘Oh, is the Pope flying off today and coming back!’ So, our relationship as Italians to the Pope is much closer. "I repeat, I really wish him well."
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 and on Sunday a statement from the Vatican confirmed he remained in critical condition.
It explained: "The condition of the Holy Father remains critical, but since yesterday evening, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises ... "The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented.
"The complexity of the clinical situation and the necessary time for the pharmacological treatments to show results require that the prognosis remain guarded.
"This morning, in the apartment on the tenth floor, he participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who have been taking care of him during these days of hospitalization."
