Those who watch the thriller "Konklaven", about the intrigues in the Vatican before a papal election, may startle when the opening credits roll and the name Tomas Alfredson appears as executive producer.
It was long planned that the Swedish director would direct the film, which is now one of the Oscar favorites.
I've worked for several years to prepare it. It's an old friend of mine (Peter Straughan) who wrote it, but when we were about to start filming, corona came and the whole thing had to be postponed, says Tomas Alfredson.
Not for the first time
The entire project fell apart and was restarted later. Now with German director Edward Berger behind the camera and entirely different actors – including Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, who received two of the film's eight Oscar nominations.
Alfredson is mentioned as executive producer in the end credits – as a thank you.
You can get such a title in the opening credits for the work you've done to nurture a project, explains Alfredson.
And it's not the first time it happens. Alfredson jokingly says he could write a book about all the films he hasn't made.
I've experienced it a couple of times now. I also made a film that I worked on for several years, called "Danish girl", which didn't come to fruition. It was a similar story.
"The Danish girl" became the international breakthrough for Alicia Vikander, who won an Oscar in 2016.
"It is what it is"
Does it feel bitter?
It is what it is. Maybe it wouldn't have turned out well with me, you have to think. Maybe it wouldn't have gone that far.
Tomas Alfredson hasn't seen "Konklaven". He's not that interested.
I think it would have been weird to watch it. But it's great, because there are many friends left in that project.
He won't be able to attend the gala and go on stage if "Konklaven" wins a prize, despite being a producer.
No, it's a kind of honorary title. But I can go and make myself noticed in my large apartment.
