THE opening and closing scenes of a new €22 million film have been shot in Clare, with filming in the county concluding this week at the old Kinturk National School.
The film is entitled ‘God’s Spy’ and is being directed by Todd Komarnicki, who wrote the acclaimed biographical drama, ‘Sully’. Its director of photography John Matheson was involved in the making of ‘Gladiator’ and is one of the world’s top cinematographers.
Location manager Seán Flynn said, “This is a European co-production, being shot in Belgium and in Ireland. Clare has the opening and closing scenes. In East Clare we filmed in O’Briensbridge, we’re filming here in Kinturk outside Connolly today, that’s where the movie ends, the final scenes of the movie are being shot in the old schoolhouse in Kinturk. We’ve also shot at Fanore Beach and the Burren.”
He said there had been great backing for their work in Clare.
“Clare County Council have been unbelievably supportive, including Siobhán Mulcahy in the Arts Office, she has been a big part of it. The people of Kilmaley, the Burren and Fanore have all been a huge help.”
The film had been using Kilmaley GAA Club as a unit base before shooting finished on Wednesday.
“That’s where we put all our big trailers for hair and make-up, and for our star trailers. Every time we go to a set, we go as close as we can and try to have a big base, we’re a big operation. Between crew, extras and cast, there’d be around 150 people.”
The film industry in the region is becoming stronger, Seán added.
“It’s wonderful to see an ever growing local crew base of very highly skilled people. Films are seeing the potential to shoot in the mid-west region more and more, and there’s a lot of momentum behind it at the moment.”
‘God’s Spy’ is the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, a staunch opponent of the Nazis. Accused of plotting to kill Hitler, he was imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1943 while he was hanged in April of 1945. The film is set to be released in early 2024.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.