Lights, camera, action for major feature filmed in Limerick

IN THE heart of the city, unusual sights were welcomed by passers-by, as locations throughout Limerick have been used to film a major feature film set during World War II.

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

On January 19, scenes were filmed at the old Cleeve’s factory located on the northern bank of the River Shannon, as well as at Pery Square for the second shoot of the day.

Off the Record! Film crew turns Limerick into World War II Germany

While the old toffee factory site doubled as Berlin Airport in 1943 and a concentration camp, the Georgian streets of Pery Square doubled as 1940s London.

Set in Berlin during the Third Reich, God’s Spy shows the extraordinary story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a clergy who was among those 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 line.

According to Todd Komarnicki, the film's Director whose credits include ‘Sully’ and Christmas blockbuster ‘Elf’, God’s Spy is a story that is more pressing now than it was eighty years ago.

“It’s a story of speaking truth to power, even if it costs you everything - including your life. And it’s not a period piece, it’s a modern story. It was set 80 years ago, but it feels more pressing and important right now than it has since it occurred,”  the Director told the Limerick Leader.

Kormanicki added: “I think we live in a time where political courage and spiritual courage has gone by the wayside, and I want to inspire people to remember that there's a beautiful courage that lives inside each of us, and we can each be a part of helping save the world.”

To achieve their vision, producers of the €22 million feature film have been working closely with Film in Limerick, an arm of Innovate Limerick, which was set up by Limerick City and County Council.

Regional Film Manager, Paul Ryan, commented: “My role as a regional film manager for the Mid-West is to attract productions here and support them. We promote infrastructure such as Troy Studios, build spaces, and then we also have a new film and TV crew academy which trains hundreds of people every year.”

Speaking of the film industry in the Mid-West, Paul explained: "Only a few years ago, there wasn’t really a film industry in Limerick as such. Nearly all filming took place in Dublin, Wicklow or over in the West (of Ireland). But now, we’re very much fast becoming a serious location in Europe for film and TV productions."

Limerick brothers, Darragh and Seán Flyyn have seen the local film industry grow hugely over the last few years.

Location manager, Seán, commented: "We’re in a wonderful position at the moment. In the Mid-West, we have a lot of scenic areas that we haven’t shot before, that are gorgeous and stunning, and will hopefully attract a lot of productions to the region.”

Director of video services provider, Set Stream, Darragh Flynn pointed out: “There’s multidisciplinary technicians working here, from sound to video camera.

“People might not realise it takes such a big crew to come together to run a production like this. We’re blessed to have such an amazing crew based in Limerick,” Darragh concluded.