Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence, who is thrown in at the deep end when the Pope unexpectedly dies.
Up in his office, Berger gestures through the window to the next building along.
Theres the Fellini stage, where he always shot, he says.
Director Edward Berger on the set of ‘Conclave’Philippe Antonello
Theres a plaque there that says, If any place is home, this is it.
Its much more his home than his house was.
The director has been in Rome since October, and he says the production settled there out of necessity.
Edward Berger poses in the Winners Room at the BAFTA Film Awards.Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images
There are a lot of exteriors, and we need the Roman architecture, he explains.
Obviously, if youre only working in the studio, you could go anywhere.
But also, we have to recreate the Vatican, because you cannot shoot inside the Vatican.
For this reason, Stage 15 has become basically a reconstruction of the Sistine Chapel in real size.
Were six days into this set, and were filming the voting process.
That must be quite a tall order, to recreate the Sistine Chapel.
How did he do that?
I didnt do it, so I have no clue, he laughs.
But it looks great.
The ceiling obviously is not there.
But everything else up to the first floor is built.
Doesnt he need a break?
So, three or four months after I finishedAll Quiet…I started this movie.
There was definitely some time in between.
And, besides, he adds, Rome isnt the worst place to be.
I still feel like I live at home.
Im just taking two suitcases and coming to stay for a few months.
