Halifax: Paul Donovan recently completed principal photography on The Conclave, an ambitious MOW that takes place in Rome in 1458, five years after the fall of Constantinople to Islam. The ex-Salter Street principal executive produces with Studio Hamburg Produktion’s Sytze van der Laan.

The historical drama, written by Donovan, is based on a secret diary kept by Pope Pius II. It focuses on a young Spanish cardinal and future pope, Rodrigo Borgia, who lives in Rome at a time when the Spanish suffered considerable violence at the hands of Romans. When his uncle, Pope Calixtus III, dies, Borgia is locked in the Vatican with 18 other men who form the conclave and are charged with selecting the next pope.

The $4-million movie is a treaty coproduction with Germany. Other than tax credits and a licence fee from Canadian broadcaster CHUM, it does not draw on any Canadian funds. Pubcaster ARD is the German broadcaster.

Directed by German Christoph Schrewe (Lexx) and produced by Halifax’s Bill Niven (Marion Bridge), the production boasts an international cast including Spain’s Manu Fullola as Borgia, and German TV star Matthias Koeberlin. Other cast include British actors Brian Blessed, James Faulkner and Peter Guinness.

The 25-day shoot ran from Jan. 10 to Feb. 11 at Halifax’s Electropolis Studios and required the recreation of several rooms from the Vatican circa 1400. Post is underway at Halifax’s Power Post and the film should be completed by mid-June.

Shot on HD, The Conclave is being transferred to 35mm, and there is a possibility that it will be released as a theatrical feature in time to hit the festival circuit.