What if someone told you that, in spite of never having been in a studio movie of any kind, you would be co-starring with acting heavyweights such as Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini in a film that would be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards?
That’s what happened to 54-year-old Carlos Diehz, a Mexican architect who turned to acting as a hobby after his last child flew the nest for college.
Diehz, who moved to Canada, first to Winnipeg before settling in Vancouver 12 years ago, got an acting coach who then paired him with an agent. According to Diehz, 60 auditions followed without success. But then lightning struck when the filmmakers behind Conclave put out a worldwide casting call: They needed to fill an important role in this picture that depicts what happens in the Catholic Church when the sitting pope dies or resigns.
Tandy talks with Carlos about his remarkable journey from audition on day one to the Oscars as a cast member of Best Picture nominee, Conclave.
