Gods Spy, the Story of legendary German Theologian-Turned-Spy Filming in Limerick

Gods Spy is currently filming – Pictured above are Rachael Power, Crew Academy Manager, Film in Limerick, Kieran Lehane, Director of National & Regional SSC, Limerick City and County Council, Vincent Murray, Director of Economic Development & Enterprise, Limerick City and County Council, Todd Komarnicki, Writer and Director, Paul C. Ryan, Regional Film Manager, Film in Limerick, Mark O’Sullivan, Executive Producer. Picture: Brian Arthur

Mid-West to Double as 1940’s Germany for Gods Spy Feature Film  

Locations throughout Limerick, Clare and Tipperary will be transformed into 1940’s Germany this month, for the filming of a major feature film set during World War II.    

God’s Spy, the true story a German theologian and pastor who stood up to the Nazis,  is currently being filmed in the region and is directed by Todd Komarnicki, a prolific screenwriter, producer and novelist.   

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Komarnicki’s credits include, ‘Sully’, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks and ‘The Professor and the Madman’, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn. Komarnicki also produced the Christmas blockbuster favourite ‘Elf’, starring Will Ferrell.   

Set in Berlin during the Third Reich, God’s Spy tells the extraordinary 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 was early to recognise the danger of Hitler’s anti-Semitic rhetoric and, while the German church acquiesced to Hitler, Bonhoeffer took him on. First from the pulpit– and then from the front lines.

Director and screenwriter Todd Komarnicki said: “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: “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.”

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

Speaking about the visiting production, 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”.   

Director Komarnicki commenting on why he chose Limerick and the Mid-West to film in 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”.  

As well as utilising locally-based crew, Gods Spy has some major international talents on board. Director of Photography is Oscar nominated and BAFTA-winning Cinematographer John Mathieson (Gladiator, The Phantom of the Opera, Pan), and the Production Designer is John Beard (Brazil, The History Boys). Jonas Dassler, breakout star of The Golden Glove, plays the lead role as the legendary German pastor alongside Flula Borg (The Suicide Squad, Pitch Perfect 2), David Jonsson (Rye Lane, Industry), August Diehl (Inglourious Basterds, A Hidden Life), Moritz Bleibtreu (World War Z, Run Lola Run), and Clarke Peters (The Wire, The Man Who Fell to Earth). 

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

Gods Spy will complete principal photography this month and is expected to premiere early next year.  

Film in Limerick was established by Innovate Limerick and is supported by funding from Limerick City and County Council and Clare and Tipperary County Councils. Film in Limerick acts as a one-stop shop for filming in the Mid-West, supporting productions looking for locations, crews and support to film in the region. They are also active in training and up-skilling aspiring and emerging filmmakers and companies based in the region.  

Innovate Limerick was established by Limerick City and County Council to help drive innovation and aims to develop Limerick’s business ecosystem and position Limerick City and County as one of the most attractive locations to start and grow a business.  

With the success of Limerick’s Troy Studios, Limerick City and County Council has made film a priority in the region. As part of this focus, the council along with Clare and Tipperary councils joined together to develop filmmaking infrastructure, create new training programmes in the region, and work to make the mid-west an attractive destination for inward productions.  

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