LAGFF 2021: “Man of God” Premiere, 11th Athens Open Air Film Festival
In just weeks since the August 26 theatrical release of “Man of God”, the film has recorded over 272,000 admissions to watch the international production, setting box office records in cinemas across Greece and Cyprus.
Yelena Popovic’s highly anticipated film “Man of God” won its second Audience Award at the 15th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival in May 2021 confirming that the film speaks to the hearts of the people wherever it is shown. After winning the Audience Award at the 43rd Moscow International Film Festival, “Man of God” was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor and won the Audience Award at the LAGFF. “Considered amongst the most important Festival prizes, another Audience Award win marks a promising continuation for the film’s international journey,” states LAGFF Artistic Director Aris Katopodis.
The film depicts the difficult life of Saint Nektarios and his inspiring love and forgiveness. Shot in Greece, the film has an international production profile with a cast that includes Golden Globe winner Mickey Rourke and Russian superstar Alexander Petrov. Music by two-time French Cesar winner Zbigniew Preisner with special performance by Golden Globe winner Lisa Gerrard.
“Man of God,” known in Greek as “O Anthropous Tou Theou” was filmed in 2020, months after COVID-19 had severely curtailed lives everywhere. Locations for filming included Athens, Lavrio and Aegina, where the saint established a monastery. Some scenes at the monastery were filmed inside the actual room, or cell, where the saint lived.
The film continues its successful run in cinemas across Greece and Cyprus and is scheduled for theatrical release on October 14th in Russia and is an official selection for the 16th edition of the Peachtree Village International Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia on October 21-23, 2021.
The film has secured distribution in Australia/New Zealand, France, Italy, Ex-Yugo and Latin America with release dates soon to be announced.
“Man of God” was produced by Simeon Entertainment and View Master Films in association with the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, St. Maxim The Greek Institute, The Holy Metropolis of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki and Eurogroup, and with the support of Ingenuity-FO, Deep Dream, NP Insurance, Minetta Insurance and EKOME (The National Center of Audiovisual Media and Communication). Theatrical release is through Feelgood Entertainment in Greece and Cyprus and Rocket Releasing in Russia. Pinnacle Peak Pictures (fka Pure Flix) is handling international sales for the film.
