TODD KOMARNICKI | Bringing Bonhoeffer to the Big Screen (Ep. 678)
Nov 19, 2024
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Todd Komarnicki, an acclaimed film director and producer known for hits like Sully and Elf, shares his journey in the world of filmmaking. He discusses the long, challenging process of bringing stories to life, including the surprising journey of casting Will Ferrell. Todd also reveals his inspiration behind Bonhoeffer's life story and how he found the perfect actor, Jonas Dassler, for the role. The conversation highlights the balance between passion and commercial success in film and the importance of community support for impactful narratives.
Todd Komarnicki's passion for filmmaking drives his storytelling, exemplified in his new film 'Bonhoeffer' that delves into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's complex life.
The casting of Jonas Dassler was pivotal, connecting him emotionally to Bonhoeffer's journey, demonstrating the deep link between personal conviction and authentic performance.
Komarnicki highlights the significance of partnering with Angel Studios to promote independent storytelling, facilitating faith-oriented narratives gaining traction in mainstream cinema.
Deep dives
Ryan Reynolds' Mint Mobile Promotion
Ryan Reynolds humorously reflects on reaching his 100th commercial for Mint Mobile, highlighting the platform's appealing offer of unlimited premium wireless for only $15 a month. He expresses surprise that many consumers still pay significantly more for similar services, urging potential customers to check out Mint Mobile. While inserting a light tone into the pitch, he emphasizes that new customers can enjoy this deal during their first three months, with additional costs applicable for taxes and fees. Reynolds' playful delivery coupled with a strong promotion for Mint captures attention, setting a light-hearted yet compelling commercial tone.
Interviewing Todd Comernicki
Kyle Thompson introduces filmmaker Todd Comernicki, discussing his journey as a director, producer, and screenwriter known for captivating storytelling. Comernicki's recent film, 'Bonhoeffer', which profiles Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life, serves as the focal point of their conversation. The discussion delves into Comernicki's past experiences creating films such as 'Sully' and 'Elf', revealing insights about the creative processes and challenges faced during production. With a strong emphasis on storytelling, the interview spotlights Comernicki's talent and passion for filmmaking, creating a rich dialogue about his career.
The Journey of Creating 'Bonhoeffer'
Comernicki's creation of 'Bonhoeffer' stems from his deep admiration for Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the complexity of the story he aimed to tell beyond Eric Metaxas’ popular biography. He explores the cultural and historical context of Bonhoeffer’s life, particularly the significant challenges posed by Hitler’s rise to power and how the church initially responded. Comernicki emphasizes designing a film that not only informs but also inspires audiences to appreciate Bonhoeffer’s bravery and moral clarity in opposing tyranny. The film aims to showcase Bonhoeffer’s legacy while providing audiences a nuanced view of his internal struggles and leadership during dark times.
Casting and Performance Insights
The casting of Jonas Dassler as Dietrich Bonhoeffer was pivotal to the film, highlighted by an emotionally charged backstory connecting him to Bonhoeffer's life. Comernicki recounts how Dassler picked the script amidst a personal period of grief, believing it was a sign from his late grandmother, further grounding his portrayal of Bonhoeffer in genuine emotion. The director emphasizes Dassler's remarkable talent and the challenges in portraying such a historical figure with accuracy, especially in the absence of extensive visual documentation of Bonhoeffer. This powerful narrative of actor selection underscores the inherent link between personal conviction and performance authenticity in filmmaking.
Angel Studios and the Release Strategy
Todd Comernicki discusses the strategic partnership with Angel Studios for the release of 'Bonhoeffer', highlighting the studio’s commitment to independent storytelling. He points out how recent successes of films with faith-oriented narratives have created opportunities for works like his to enter mainstream cinema, attracting larger audiences. The fundraising model through audience engagement is emphasized as a critical aspect of Angel’s approach, allowing for a broader reach in theaters. Comernicki expresses hope that the film will resonate with viewers seeking more meaningful cinema, showcasing the historical depth and moral struggles of Bonhoeffer's life while challenging audiences to reflect on the present.
In this episode, we welcome Todd Komarnicki to the show. He is a film director, producer, and screenwriter. He wrote the film Sully which starred Tom Hanks and was directed by Clint Eastwood and was a producer on the Christmas classic Elf which starred Will Ferrell and was directed by Jon Favreau. He also wrote, directed, and produced a new film with Angel Studios called Bonhoeffer based on the life of pastor-turned-spy-turned-would-be-assassin Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In this interview, we discuss what drew him to the world of filmmaking, the difference between having a passion for filmmaking and writing versus making it a successful career, the long process of getting movies like Elf and Sully made, why they had such a hard time getting movie studios to believe in Will Ferrell as a big movie lead, how he ended up working with Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks, what drew him to the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, how he found the perfect actor to portray Bonhoeffer and the crazy story of what made Jonas Dassler sign on to the project, what he is working on now, and much more. Let’s get into it…
