Limerick to double as 1940s Germany for major feature film

FOR A major feature film set during World War II, locations throughout Limerick will be transformed into 1940s Germany this month.

Narrating the true story of a German theologian and pastor who stood up to the Nazis, God’s Spy, is currently being filmed in the region.

Set in Berlin during the Third Reich, God’s Spy tells the extraordinary and true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who lived his life with uncompromising political and spiritual courage while speaking truth to power in his attempt to save countless Jewish lives.

Bonhoeffer was among only a few clergy who were early to recognise the danger of Hitler's anti-Semitic rhetoric. While the German church acquiesced to Hitler, Bonhoeffer took him on. First from the pulpit - and then, from the front lines. 

God’s Spy is directed by prolific screenwriter, producer and novelist, Todd Komarnicki, whose credits include ‘Sully’, ‘The Professor and the Madman’, as well as the Christmas blockbuster ‘Elf’ starring Will Ferrell.

Director and screenwriter, Todd Komarnicki, commented, “This is a movie about a man for all time. He was a fearless martyr who brought wartime atrocities to the world’s attention and wouldn’t be silenced even when no one believed him.” 

Executive producer Mark O’Sullivan added that God Spy’s tells an incredibly important and poignant story. “This film is being made to remind us that the truth always sets us free, no matter the cost. Dietrich paid the ultimate price for the truth he proclaimed, and that is a story not just of another time, but for all time.”

Producers of the €22-million Irish-Belgian co-production, whose base is at Innovate Limerick’s Engine building, have been working closely with Film in Limerick to achieve their vision

Regional Film Manager, Paul C Ryan, said: “It’s just brilliant to have Todd and his team filming in Limerick and Clare and Tipperary. We’re delighted to see so many locally based crew working on this film and to showcase all that the Mid-West has to offer as a film-friendly location for such major productions”.   

Speaking of why he chose Limerick as a filming location, Director, Kormanicki said: “We searched high and low for the right location to film God’s Spy and the region came out tops for us. The talented crew base, unbelievable locations, and above all a willingness from the councils to do what it takes to support a production of this scale, made all the difference. We have had an incredible experience filming here in the Mid-West”.  

So far, several lcoations have been used around the Mid-West, including Castle Oliver, a red sandstone baronial style residence in County Limerick, and O’Brien’s Bridge and the Shannon River doubling as the Danube River. Other locations include Fanore beach and Kinturk in Clare, Swiss Cottage in Tipperary and the Georgian Streets in Limerick City standing in for 1940s London.  

As well as utilising locally-based crew, God’s Spy also had international talents on board, such as John Mathieson, John Beard, Jonas Dassler, Flula Borg, David Jonsson, August Diehl, Moritz Bleibtreu and Clarke Peters.

Expected to premiere early next year, God’s Spy will complete principal photography this month.