Man of God (2021 film)
| Man of God | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Yelena Popovic |
| Written by | Yelena Popovic |
| Produced by | Alexandros Potter Yelena Popovic |
| Starring | Aris Servetalis Mickey Rourke Alexander Petrov |
| Music by | Zbigniew Preisner |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Pinnacle Peak Pictures[3] |
Release date | |
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | Greece |
| Language | English |
Man of God (Greek: Ο Άνθρωπος του Θεού) is a 2021 English-language Greek biographical drama film written and directed by Yelena Popovic, and starring Aris Servetalis as Nectarios of Aegina and also starring Mickey Rourke and Alexander Petrov.[4][5]
Plot
The film follows the later life of Saint Nectarios of Aegina, a Greek Orthodox cleric serving as the Metropolitan bishop of Pentapolis in Egypt.[6] His popularity among the public and reputation for piety arouse jealousy within the higher ranks of the Alexandrian clergy, who accuse him of ambition and seek his dismissal. As a result, he is removed from his post and returns to Greece.[7]
In Athens, Nectarios of Aegina is appointed director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School, where he gains respect from his students for his modest lifestyle and dedication to teaching. Despite his efforts to serve both the Church and the public, he continues to face accusations and suspicion from church authorities. The film depicts his growing isolation as he endures slander and administrative hostility.[8]
In his later years, Nectarios withdraws to the island of Aegina, where he assists in rebuilding a convent and devotes his remaining time to prayer and writing. The narrative concludes with his illness, death, and the veneration that follows, reflecting his later recognition as a saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church.[7][9]
Cast
- Aris Servetalis as Nectarios of Aegina
- Mickey Rourke as Paralyzed Man
- Alexander Petrov as Kostas
- Tonia Sotiropoulou as Maria
- Babis Hawk Konstantinou as Rich man
- Constantin Symsiris as Prosecutor clerk
- Giannis Stankoglou as Spiros
- Manos Gavras as Yannis
- Christos Loulis as Christos
- Kitty Paitazoglou as Nun Akakia
- Samuel Akinola as Baker
- Michalis Ikonomou as Vassili
- Dimitra Mesimerli as Client
- Karyofyllia Karabeti as Voula
- Alexandros Mylonas as Metropolitan Meletius
- Pavlos Kourtidis as Raggedy Man
- Lefteris Tsatsis as Hermit
- Yannis Anastasakis as Metropolitan Theoklitos
- Vera Letizia Muratova as Chrisafenia
- Nikitas Tsakiroglou as Patriarch Sophronius IV of Alexandria
- Onoufrios Dovletis as Villager (credit only)
- Mario Lazaridis as Deacon
- Sarantis Geogleris as Gregory
- Petra Mavridi as Confessor woman
- Konstantinos Kladis as Fisherman
Production
Principal photography wrapped in Greece in September 2020.[10][11]
Release
The film made its world premiere on 25 April 2021 at the Moscow International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.[1] It was then released in theaters on 26 August 2021.[7] In its first four consecutive weeks, the film sold 241,014 tickets in Greece.[12] It was the third most commercially successful film in Greece for 2021, with 283,520 ticket sold.[13]
References
- ^ a b Zoe Thomaidou (7 May 2021). "'Man of God' wins audience award at world premiere". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ a b Zoe Thomaidou (12 March 2021). "'Man of God' film depicting life of St Nektarios to hit the big screen". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (3 March 2021). "Pinnacle Peak sells EFM title 'Walking With Herb', producing fourth 'God's Not Dead' film (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ^ McNary, Dave (21 February 2020). "Mickey Rourke Joins Religious Drama 'Man of God'". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (25 June 2020). "How producers on Pure Flix sales title 'Man Of God' started production in Greece (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (5 September 2022). "Man of God review – Mickey Rourke is unlikely believer in Greek Orthodox biopic". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Stacey Harris-Papaioannou (19 August 2021). "'Man of God' Film on St. Nectarios Premieres August 26". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Film review: Man of God". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Man of God - | Movie Synopsis and Plot". showtimes.com. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (15 September 2020). "Mickey Rourke wraps Greece shoot on 'Man Of God' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ Joanna Kalafatis (18 September 2020). "Mickey Rourke Finishes Filming "Man of God" in Greece". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "Ο "Άνθρωπος του Θεού" με 241.014 εισιτήρια μέσα σε τρεις εβδομάδες – Σαρώνει στις καρδιές των θεατών". ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ (in Greek). 16 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Οι 10 πιο εμπορικές ταινίες του 2021 στην Ελλάδα | LiFO". www.lifo.gr (in Greek). 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2024.