Film
Jacob Mendez
Jacob Mendez

“Conclave”: Jacek Koman alongside Ralph Fiennes in a controversial film

October 22 Jacek Koman attended a press conference promoting “Conclave” in Poland. It was attended by journalists from the most influential media, as well as invited experts: Jacek Moskwa, journalist, writer, Vaticanist, long-time TVP correspondent in Rome and the Vatican, Dr. Tomasz Terlikowski, RMF FM publicist, philosopher and writer, and patron Artur Nowak, writer, lawyer and a publicist describing the pathology in the Church.

In “Conclave”, Jacek Koman plays the role of Archbishop Wozniak, who served as the secretary of the deceased pope. The cleric, although he does not directly participate in the conclave, has important information that may influence the outcome of the election of the new head of the Holy See.

During the media screening, the actor had the opportunity to see the film in its entirety for the first time.

“While watching ‘The Conclave’ I was sitting on tenterhooks in the cinema hall. But I will have to watch it one or two more times to properly accept and experience this production (…) I will add that none of the shots we shot were made in the Vatican “Fortunately, there are many very interesting facilities in Rome that we could use – that’s why we shot mainly in Cinecittà,” revealed Jacek Koman.

The actor admitted that playing alongside celebrities such as Ralph Fiennes or Isabella Rossellini is exciting, and when it comes to challenges, the biggest one was… the movie costume.

“I won’t hide the fact that it was the hardest thing for me to learn to play in a cassock. So as not to hurt myself. Because I’ve never had such an opportunity before,” the actor said with a smile.

Film Archbishop Woźniak is of the opinion that everyone should go to cinemas to see “Conclave”, because it is a film for everyone.

“This is a film for all those who think they know, who are certain. Because here certainty appears as a sin, and doubt as a virtue” – summed up Jacek Koman.

Jacek Koman is not only a talented Polish actor, but also an extremely interesting man with many interests and passions. Below are the most interesting threads from the artist’s colorful biography.

Jacek Koman was born on August 15, 1956 in Bielsko-Biała into an acting family. His parents – Halina Koman-Dobrowolska and Adam Koman performed on the stage of the Polish Theater in Bielsko-Biała, and then in Koszalin, Szczecin and Łódź.

The actor has repeatedly emphasized that he has always greatly admired his mother. “She was an incredibly hard-working person. I saw her on stage, I also helped her with her work at home. I think I somehow imbibed the ethos of a hard-working actor with her milk,” he said in an interview with gazeta.pl.

Koman realized that following in his parents’ footsteps professionally was the most obvious choice. And yet, as a child, he dreamed of becoming… a sailor! Finally, in 1978, he obtained his diploma at the Acting Department of the State Higher School of Film, Television and Theater in Łódź.

He began his acting career in 1979 with the role of Sławek Tietz in “Direct Connection” by Juliusz Machulski. Then he decided to try his hand at abroad. In 1981, he anchored in Austria for eight months and then flew to Australia to pursue his acting dreams. Initially, he worked mainly in the theater. In Perth, Australia, together with Krzysztof Kaczmarek, he founded the “Żart” theater group.

Koman also performed on the stages of “The New Dolphin Theater” and “The Playhouse Theatre”. After some time, he moved to Melbourne, where he played at the Anthill Theater for several years. In 1988, he returned to the small and big screen. Since then, he has appeared in over twenty American, British and Australian films and series.

Jacek Koman gained enormous popularity thanks to his role in the musical “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) directed by Baz Luhrmann. Then he performed, among others: in “The Jungle” (2017) with Daniel Radcliffe, “The Sucker” (2015) with Timothy Spall, “Children of Men” (2006) with Clive Owen, “Resistance” (2008) with Daniel Craig and “Son of a Gun ” (2014) with Ewan McGregor.

The actor also has roles in many Polish films, including: in: “Dangerous Gentlemen” (2022) by Maciej Kawalski, “Suicide Room. Hater” (2020) by Jan Komasa and “Krwi Boga” (2018) by Bartosz Konopka. We could also see him in series such as: “The Four Minute Mile” (1988), “The Secret Life of Us” (2002), “Tripping Over” (2006), “Doctors” (2012), “Chyłka” ( 2018), “Belfer” (2016) and “Mały Zgon” (2020).

Koman recently starred in the series “Prosper”. He also finished working on the film “100 Days to Matura”, which will premiere in February 2025. Jan Holoubek’s series “Heweliusz” with his participation is also waiting for its premiere. Currently, the actor can be seen on Disney Plus in the series “The Last Days of the Space Age”, and from November 8 in cinemas in the movie “Conclave”.

For almost twenty years, Jacek Koman has been associated with the Australian actress Catherine McClements, with whom he has two children, daughter Clementine Coco (23) and son Quincy (17). The couple met in the theater, they were working on Molière’s “The Delusive Sick”, where they played lovers.

“She is beautiful and incredibly smart. She is a great partner, which is extremely important given such a long experience,” he said about Catherine at cozatydzien.tvn.pl.

And how do they divide responsibilities? “In recent years, it would have been half and half. But it also happens that she leaves and I stay with all the responsibilities. I spent the first few years with our children. We are actors, traveling is our life,” Koman added.

After the death of the Pope, hated in the Vatican, cardinals from all over the world gather for a conclave to elect a new leader of the Church. The proceedings are chaired by Cardinal Lawrence, whose sole task is to ensure that they run smoothly. However, as the fight between two opposing factions intensifies and the compromising secrets of their candidates begin to come to light, Lawrence faces a dilemma. Be impartial and let an unworthy person be chosen? Is it against the rules to get involved on one side? Or maybe look for a third solution?

The opportunity arises when, just before the voting begins, an unknown Cardinal Benitez, a mysterious collaborator of the late Pope, appears among the participants. Who is he? Who’s behind it? What is its purpose? Is the institution of the Church facing a shock unlike any other in history?