Bonhoeffer (film)
Bonhoeffer | |
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Directed by | Todd Komarnicki |
Written by | Todd Komarnicki |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | John Mathieson |
Edited by | Blu Murray |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Angel Studios |
Release date |
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Running time | 132 minutes[1] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Bonhoeffer (released as Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.) is a historical drama film about the German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written, produced and directed by Todd Komarnicki. It stars Jonas Dassler, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Flula Borg, Moritz Bleibtreu, and Clarke Peters.
The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 22, 2024.
Premise
[edit]Set in 1940s Berlin, it dramatizes the life of German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood up to the Nazis during the Third Reich.[2]
Cast
[edit]- Jonas Dassler as Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- August Diehl as Martin Niemöller
- David Jonsson as Frank Fisher
- Flula Borg as Hans von Dohnanyi
- Moritz Bleibtreu as Karl Bonhoeffer
- Nadine Heidenreich as Paula Bonhoeffer
- Patrick Mölleken as Walter Bonhoeffer
- William Robinson as Eberhard Bethge
- Clarke Peters as Reverend Powell Sr.
Production
[edit]In 2018, Komarnicki discussed shooting the film, then titled God's Spy, describing it as a "profound and pretty untold story of heroism from World War II."[3]
In January 2023, Jonas Dassler was confirmed in the role of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Flula Borg, David Jonsson, August Diehl, and Moritz Bleibtreu were confirmed as cast. Cinematographer John Mathieson and production designer John Beard were also revealed to be on-board the project.[4]
Principal photography took place in Ireland in locations such as counties Limerick,[5] Clare and Tipperary,[6] and St Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork.[7][8] Filming also took place in Belgium, in Brussels, Liege,[9] and Spa.[10] According to Variety filming wrapped before March 2023.[11]
Release
[edit]In November 2023, Angel Studios acquired worldwide rights to the film, which had been retitled from God's Spy to Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin.[12] It is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 22, 2024.[13]
Critics
[edit]In the German weekly Die Zeit, experts on Bonhoeffer, including presidents of the International Bonhoeffer Society and the publishers of Bonhoeffer’s work in German and English, accuse the movie of abusing Bonhoeffer's life in order to promote Christian Nationalism.[14] The film's slogan, “How far will you go to stand up for what's right?”, is not a question Bonhoeffer asked, they write. On the same page of Die Zeit, Bonhoeffer’s grandnephew Tobias Korenke calls ads for the film that depict Bonhoeffer holding a pistol an outrageous reversal of history.[15]
The International Bonhoeffer Society released a statement in which several actors involved, including Jonas Dassler, August Diehl and David Jonsson, condemned the film's appropriation by Christian Nationalists.[16] The signatories criticised the misuse of Bonhoeffer's life and legacy by right-wing extremists.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Bonhoeffer (2024)". Irish Film Classification Office. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Filming in St Fin Barre's: Major movie shoot takes place in cathedral". echolive.ie. January 13, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "Portrait of the Artist: Todd Komarnicki". Tribeca Citizen. December 6, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 12, 2023). "Jonas Dassler To Topline Thriller 'God's Spy' From Writer-Director Todd Komarnicki; Flula Borg, Clarke Peters & More Also Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Lynch, Richard (January 16, 2023). "Gods Spy, the Story of legendary German Theologian-Turned-Spy Filming in Limerick". IloveLimerick.ie. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "Tipperary chosen as major location for €22m blockbuster movie God's Spy". Tipperary Live. January 17, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Fitton, Daire (January 11, 2023). "Oscar-nominated talent in Cork as shooting for new film 'God's Spy' takes place in city". Corkbeo.ie. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Casey, Jess (January 11, 2023). "Filming for Second World War biopic under way in Cork City". Irish Examiner. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ de Beaudrap, Anne-Françoise (September 23, 2022). "Casting for a period film soon to be shot in Belgium". Cathobel (in French). Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "Le tournage du film hollywoodien sur le point de débuter à Spa, on recherche des figurants". Sudinfo (in French). November 9, 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (March 3, 2023). "CAA Signs 'Industry,' 'Rye Lane' Star David Jonsson (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (November 17, 2023). "'Sound Of Freedom' Studio Angel Studios Acquires True-Life WWII Thriller 'Bonhoeffer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (April 10, 2024). "Angel Studios Sets Release Dates For Bonhoeffer, Homestead & New Animated Musical David – CinemaCon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Wie Trumps radikale Anhänger Dietrich Bonhoeffer instrumentalisieren". Die Zeit (in German). October 16, 2024. ISSN 0044-2070. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Finger, Evelyn (October 16, 2024). ""Großonkel mit Pistole": Und was sagt die Familie von Dietrich Bonhoeffer dazu? Ein Gespräch mit Tobias Korenke". Die Zeit. p. 64. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "STATEMENT: Lead Actors in "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin" Speak Out Together Against the Misuse of Bonhoeffer's Legacy". The International Bonhoeffer Society. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Mariani, Carlo (November 6, 2024). "«Tief besorgt über den Missbrauch durch christliche Nationalisten in den USA»: Schauspieler des Films über den Nazi-Gegner Dietrich Bonhoeffer wehren sich". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- "Press Release: Bonhoeffer (2024)". Angel Studios. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Upcoming films
- 2024 films
- 2024 drama films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s historical drama films
- 2020s war drama films
- Angel Studios films
- Belgian historical drama films
- Belgian war drama films
- Belgian World War II films
- Anti-war films about World War II
- English-language Belgian films
- Films set in Berlin
- Films shot in Brussels
- Films shot in County Clare
- Films shot in County Cork
- Irish historical drama films
- Irish war films
- Upcoming English-language films
- 2020s Belgian films
- English-language historical drama films
- English-language war drama films