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Carlos Diehz in "Conclave"
Focus Features
MANILA, Philippines — Mexican actor Carlos Diehz welcomed the warm reception of Filipinos to the Tagalog dub of the Oscar-winning movie "Conclave."
Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, the movie centers around a fictional conclave that elects the next pope, where the major contenders have hidden secrets and controversies.
Last Good Friday, a Tagalog dub of "Conclave" aired on Philippine television for the first time, specifically on local channels Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and ALLTV.
Numerous Filipinos tuned in to see the film, posting on social media their reactions to hearing the assembly happenings and discussions in Tagalog.
The Mexican actor took notice of one Filipino who tagged him on Instagram with a screenshot of his character's final scene speaking to Ralph Fiennes' Cardinal Thomas Lawrence.
Diehz's character, Cardinal Vincent Benitez, is Mexican in the film though in Harris' book the character is a Filipino. Benitez eventually becomes the Supreme Pontiff in both iterations, becoming Pope Innocence XIV.
A few days later, Diehz posted a video on Instagram to share that he has been receiving messages from Filipinos telling him about their thoughts on the Tagalog dub of "Conclave."
"I'm very happy about it, thanks very much for your messages," Diehz said. "I appreciate it very much and I appreciate that you keep receiving this project in different versions so well among your people."
The actor then shared corresponded with his co-star Brían F. O'Byrne, who plays Monsignor Raymond O'Malley, praising his performance in "Dead of Winter."
During their conversation, the actors brought up the idea of a sequel or prequel for "Conclave."
"I think the story, the way it was written, it doesn't need a prequel or sequel," Diehz acknowledged. "But it's always fun to do these kind of exercises, to see how it got there or what happens after Benitez is elected the new pope."
Many commented suggestions like Benitez's seminary or early years in ministry in war-torn countries, as well as the changes he would make as Innocence XIV and how conservative cardinals would react to them.
"Conclave," directed by Edward Berger, was well-received by critics and audiences alike, winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Viewership of the film spiked months after its wide release following the death of Pope Francis, leading to an actual conclave taking place in the Vatican.
Numerous cardinals reportedly watched the movie for visual insight about the conclave process, including Robert Prevost, who was later elected as Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope.
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