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The Two Popes (12A)

— ,Barbican Cinemas
the two popes, Francis and Benedict sit next to each other with one whispering in the other's ear

Director Fernando Meirelles imagines the intimate conversations between Pope Benedict and his successor

Starring Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as Jorge Bergoglio (later to become Pope Francis), this drama explores the lead-up to Pope Benedict's shocking resignation and how the way was paved for Bergoglio to become the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere. 

From the opening sequence Meirelles (City of God, The Constant Gardener) makes it clear that his film is far from stuffy. With a screenplay from double Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, Bohemian Rhapsody) the dialogue is snappy and very entertaining.

An unexpected buddy relationship is formed between the two popes in the many intimate and imagined conversations they have about religion, dogma, God and life. Full of both comic and tender moments, Hopkins and Pryce are exquisite in their roles.

Tagged with: Cinema New releases

UK/US 2019 Dir Fernando Meirelles 126 min

There is a captioned screening of The Two Popes at 5.45pm on Tue 10 Dec in Cinema 2. 

Audio Description headsets are available for all screenings of The Two Popes in Cinema 2 & 3. 

Review

‘Its greatest value, ultimately, is not as a theocratic commentary, but as a testament to the possibility of deep, rewarding friendship under unlikely, even impossible circumstances‘
Kevin Maher, The Times

Barbican Cinemas

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.