Genre: Drama

Language: Italian with English Subtitles

Director: Nanni Morretti

Cast: Michel Piccoli, Nanni Moretti, Jerzy Stuhr, Renato Scarpa, Margherita Buy

Released: 2011

Duration: 104 Minutes

Rating: M contains offensive language

Distribution: Transmission Films

2011 Festival de Cannes Official Selection - In competition.

"Never one to shy away from controversy, Italian film-maker Nanni Moretti has followed 'The Caiman', his assault on Silvio Berlusconi, with a nervously anticipated examination of the holiest of holy cows, the papacy. Already released in Italy, Habemus Papam has provoked only the mildest tut-tutting from the Vatican, and it's not hard to see why: Moretti's conception of the Holy Father is a man weighed down by the immensity of his burden, who must reconcile human fears with spiritual responsibilities, and who is drawn equally to the life of the world and the life of the mind.

Moretti's premise is enticing, almost brilliant. One pope dies, and the conclave to elect his successor settles on Cardinal Melville, played with perfect mournful sensitivity by 85-year-old Michel Piccoli. Moretti pulls off a tremendous opening set piece, in which the assembled cardinals cast their votes for one of their number, each and every one praying they don't get the nod, aware of the crushing effect that the pontificate would have on their lives.

Moretti deserves respect for not simply taking a hatchet to the papal office; it's an easy target in the aftermath of the abuse scandals and most directors would be unable to resist. 'Habemus Papam' wants to emphasise the human consequences of a great religious office, and in that it succeeds." Guardian Newspaper.