Wide Eye Films has successfully completed principal photography on the €1.5 million feature film ‘The Real Thing’. The film, made in association with Peter Stockhaus Filmproduktion, Grosvenor Park and Octagon Films, finally wrapped on Friday, 13th December at 10pm, following a 30 day, 6 week shoot in Limerick City.
Producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler declared herself delighted with the shoot: “We did things in Limerick we could not have done anywhere else on this budget. The production value we added just by being in Limerick is incalculable. To say that the city threw its doors open and embraced the production would be an understatement.
"The production employed over 400 extras and enjoyed unfettered access to every business, residential and Garda facility in the city on request. The high point was when the Minister for Justice granted us special permission to fly a helicopter below 50 feet along the Shannon, through the city centre and down O’Connell Street.”
Writer/director David Gleeson was also delighted with the shoot. Speaking from Hamburg where he has already begun assembling a rough cut, Limerick born David expressed his delight with the shoot: “We’re all buzzing on what we achieved during our stay in Limerick. As the weeks progressed we all, cast and crew alike, just became more and more energised. Usually it works the opposite way. We’ve done some very good work here and we’re all very proud. The city’s response to our presence plays no small factor in this”.
An Irish / German / UK co-production, the crew was an eclectic mix of nationalities. Starring Michael Legge, Alan Leech, Amy Shiels, David Murray, Frank Kelly and a cast of hundreds, the film will be completed in April. Media Luna International is handling world sales.
