When Gafcon emerged to ignite the global Anglican realignment, Emmanuel and Camille Kampouris enthusiastically joined. Recognizing the unique courage of leaders like Peter Akinola, Bob Duncan, and Peter Jensen, they supported the movement every way they could, with Emmanuel taking on a key leadership role.
Around the same time, they also began working on a second passion project, an idea for a movie on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer, a German pastor who bravely resisted the Nazis before and during World War II, battled its effects on the German Lutheran church and eventually became part of a plot to assassinate Hitler. His books and personal testimony have lasted the test of time and remain a source of inspiration to many Christians today. His story, however, is not widely known outside Christian circles. The Kampourises wanted to change that. Camille explained, “We had always been fans of Bonhoeffer. We couldn’t believe a motion picture [on Bonhoeffer] had never been done.”
With no prior experience in the movie industry, but a vision for what could be, they spent a decade taking the idea from a blank storyboard to the silver screen. They became the lead producers, hiring Angel Studios and director Todd Komarnicki. Komarnicki, best known for directing Sully, wrote the script for Bonhoeffer, helped recruit the team, and directed the movie.
The making of the movie was not without its challenges. “We had to raise the money twice” lamented Camille. “We pulled together the funding the first time, and then Covid hit, people stopped going to theaters, and some of our investors pulled out. We raised the funding a second time, and then the war in Ukraine shut down our filming location. At multiple points I said, ‘Lord, if you don’t want us to do this we’ll let it go.’ But then doors would open again. We found perfect shooting locations in Belgium and Ireland.”
The movie opens this weekend in theaters around North America. In addition to sharing Bonhoeffer’s story with a wider audience, Emmanuel wants it to both bolster the Christian community and make it clear to filmmakers and studios that movies such as this one have an audience. “We hope the film will raise up men and women like Bonhoeffer who will be totally committed to Christ no matter the cost” says Emmanuel. “If possible, please try to see the movie on the 1st or 2nd weekend as it sends a message to Hollywood that we want more faith and family-friendly movies.”
Learn More
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZM90izJ8sI
Take a look behind the scenes: https://youtu.be/U7q_vc0Cn5g
Go to the official website: https://www.angel.com/press/bonhoeffer
Social Media:
- Instagram: @bonhoefferfilm
- Facebook: Bonhoeffer Film
- X: @BonhoefferFilm
••YouTube: Angel Studios
