Stories from the set

The film is based on the correspondence between Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943) and his wife Franziska, or Fani.

The pre-production period lasted 10 weeks, after which filming took place (8 weeks) and almost 3 years of post-production.

The last film of actors Michael Nyqvist (1960-2017) and Bruno Ganz (1941-2019).

The film takes its title from a phrase by George Eliot (English writer, real name Mary Ann Evans, 1819-1880) from the 1871 and 1872 novel Middlemarch.

Artificial lighting was rarely used during filming. As a rule (and this applied even to filming in the prison), the crew chose the right time of day and worked until the light faded.

This story is virtually unknown outside St. Radegund. It became known thanks to Gordon Zahn, an American who visited there in the 1970s.

The bedroom in the film is shown as it remained in the Eggerstetter house. On the walls hang samples of embroidery that Fani did. Franz and Fani's daughters Maria, Rosalia and Eloise still live in St. Radegund or nearby. Fani died in 2013 at the age of 100.

A special screening of the film was arranged a couple of days before its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The screening was held for the Eggerstetter daughters at their home. According to the lead actress, all three sisters liked the film.

The film was shot in 8 weeks in July and August 2016.

Franz Jägerstätter served in the local church – he cleaned the church, rang the bell and made preparations for wedding ceremonies and funerals, without taking any payment for it.