A FILM which has already garnered many awards and is expected to win more at the Oscars suddenly feels uncannily topical as well. Conclave, the drama surrounding the selection of a new Pope, could hardly be more timely as one of the most in-demand films for March with Moviola audiences.

Based on Robert Harris’s gripping thriller, it manages to be both intensely claustrophobic and epic, and has stellar performances from all the cast, led by Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, dean of the College of Cardinals, who has to organise the conclave, Isabella Rossellini as a senior nun in the Vatican, Stanley Tucci as a liberal cardinal, John Lithgow as an ambitious cardinal, and Sergio Castellitto as a deeply conservative one.

A papal conclave is one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders from around the world, enclosed within the halls of the Vatican, Cardinal Lawrence soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church.

Conclave is at Yetminster (Jubilee Hall), Shrewton, Charlton Marshall, Donhead St Mary, Nether Wallop, Trent, Chard (Guildhall), Leigh (near Sherborne), Frogham, Ditcheat (Jubilee Hall) , Sixpenny Handley, Netherbury, Ringwood (Greyfriars) 2.30, Bishopstone (Salisbury), South Petherton (David Hall), Watchet (cinema) and West Camel.

For dates see the Arts Diary; for more information on the films or timings visit www.moviola.org

The other much-asked for film in March is Paddington in Peru, the third in the tales of the little bear with a taste for marmalade, who is voiced once again by Ben Whishaw. When Paddington discovers his beloved aunt has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the jungles of Peru to find her. Determined to solve the mystery, they soon stumble across a legendary treasure as they make their way through the rainforests of the Amazon. The cast also includes Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Julie Walters

Paddington in Peru is being screened at Highcliffe (community centre), Beaminster (public hall), Kilmington (Devon) community cinema, Pewsey (Bouverie Hall), Watchet (cinema), Winterslow, Calne and Cheddon & West Monkton.

Elsewhere with Moviola in our region in March:
The Critic is at Kingsbury Episcopi, Churchinford and Beer (Devon);
Small Things Like These is at Netherbury, Wookey Hole, Chilthorne Domer, Winsford, Bransgore, Kingston St Mary and Motcombe;
Thelma is at Norton sub Hamdon and Norton St Philip;
Freud’s Last Session is at Shepton Montague;
Twisters is at Hawkchurch;
Gladiator II is at Codford (Woolstore Theatre), Odcombe, South Petherton (David Hall), Edington (Somerset) and Castle Cary (Caryford community hall);
The Outrun is at Hanging Langford;
My favourite Cake is at East Knoyle;
and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is at Mere (Lecture Hall).