• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

LisaHendey.com

Author & Speaker & Missionary Disciple

  • Home
    • About Lisa
    • Contact
  • Substack
    • Blog Archives
  • Books
    • Spirituality
      • O Radiant Dawn: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
      • The Handbook for Catholic Moms
      • A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms
      • As Morning Breaks, Daily Gospel Reflections
      • The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections
      • The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living
      • The Catholic Mom’s Desk Calendar: One-Minute Prayers for Each Day
    • Children’s Books
      • I Am Earth’s Keeper
      • I’m a Saint in the Making
      • I Am God’s Storyteller
      • Chime Travelers
    • Chime Travelers Kids
      • The Secret of the Shamrock
      • The Sign of the Carved Cross
      • The Whisper in the Ruins
      • The Mystery at Midnight
      • The Strangers at the Manger
  • Chime Travelers
    • The Books
      • The Secret of the Shamrock
      • The Sign of the Carved Cross
      • The Whisper in the Ruins
      • The Mystery at Midnight
      • The Strangers at the Manger
    • Faithful Resources For Teachers & Librarians
    • Chime Travelers Press Kit
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Invite Lisa
    • Television
    • Testimonials
  • Appearances
  • Spirituality
  • Children’s Books
  • Chime Travelers
  • All Books

Man of God: 3 Minutes with Yelena Popovic

July 29, 2022 by Lisa M. Hendey

Today, I continue my ongoing series of conversations with awesome storytellers creating fantastic projects as I’m joined by Yelena Popovic, Writer/Director/Producer of the film MAN OF GOD. Yelena shares about her discovery of the life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina and the journey of bringing his life to the screen. MAN OF GOD, the award-winning box office hit based on the widely venerated Greek saint, is NOW available on VOD, DVD & BLURAY in the U.S. and Canada Enjoy! LMH

Yelena Popovic is a Serbian/American actress, writer, director, and producer. She wrote and directed “Man of God” starring Mickey Rourke and the 2013 NYIIFVF Audience Award Winner “L.A. Superheroes”. Popovic produced “Monday Nights at Seven” starring Edward James Olmos through her company Simeon Entertainment and has several other active projects in development including Greta Garbo and Moses the Black. She studied at Playhouse West, an industry-recognized premier acting school and training ground for actors, writers, and directors, founded by Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum. Image used with permission.

What drew you to the life of Saint Nektarios and why did you decide to create a film about him?

The simplest answer to that question is that, in 2012, while visiting my hometown Belgrade, I bought a book about him and, after reading his story, I felt that every word of it was written in my soul. I felt I had to make a film about him. Ever since the birth of my older son Michael in 2000, I started to go to Church and to attend mass on a weekly basis. I read a lot of books on different Saints, as they inspired me and gave me courage. I never really thought of making a film about a saint until I read a book about St. Nektarios. His story was very personal to me. My father, who had passed away in 2011, was an honorable man who was persecuted unjustly because he was righteous, just like St. Nektarios. My father was one of the best civil engineers in Yugoslavia, but because he wasn’t willing to do unethical things to further his career, people in power did not like him. They brought him to court on false charges, and after six false witnesses testified against him, he lost his job. After much struggle, he managed to get another job in a small factory, where he worked until the end of his life. I grew up hearing a lot of people criticizing him for being too honest; however, I always admired him. He was one of the reasons I left my country in search of a better life. 

“Man of God” brings to life the incredible true story of Saint Nektarios of Aegina, Greece. A priest of the common people, his humility annoyed the prideful orthodox clergy of the day. In contrast to his religious “superiors” — the bishops and patriarchs mesmerized by worldly honors and power — Nektarios cared for the poor; taught peasant girls to read and write; inspired by example young men to enter the priesthood; and wrote books and delivered sermons that uplifted nations of believers. In this exquisitely made film, relive St. Nektarios’ inspiring devotion and perseverance as, despite the efforts of the religious establishment to discredit him and dismantle his good works over decades, he embraced humility and inspired thousands to become one of Greece’s most renowned saints.

Congratulations, the film is truly a work of art! Please share a few of your cinematographic choices and why you decided to tell the saint’s story as you did.

I was very fortunate to work with so many talented people that have contributed immensely to making this film. One of them is my director of photography, Panagiotis Vassilakis. We had great synergy. He understood what I wanted and he executed it beautifully. The goal was to make the film from the inside out. To make it as real as possible. The truth was crucial in making this movie. When I say the truth, I mean that I knew that I needed to make the film as honest and as human as possible. Not to fake one thing. That’s the only way I would be able to bring the story of St. Nektarios to people’s hearts, which is what I wanted. I wanted the audience to identify with him, to feel the way he felt. The desaturated color of the film is matching the very difficult and sacrificial life of St. Nektarios. The aspect ratio with the narrow frame forces the viewer to focus on the character instead of the surrounding. It brings the viewer inside the head of St. Nektarios. The incredible music score done by the incredible Zbigniew Preisner adds a different dimension and another layer of spirituality to the movie.

Aris Servetalis stars as St. Nektarios of Aegina

With the home release of the film, what are you hoping that families or groups of friends who see it together will experience or take away?

Even before the film was released, I always said that I made it to help those that suffer the most. I am very pleased to hear from different people of different faiths and different countries that the film has a healing quality. I even received a letter from a lady from France, in which she expressed that after watching Man of God she regained the will to live again. I hope the film will continue to inspire and help people. 

Was there anything about Saint Nektarios that surprised you in the making of the film?

I have witnessed many miracles while making the film ‘Man of God.’ More so than what I decided to put on the screen. I speak of a miracle of St. Michael the Archangel that happened during the filming in a special video clip, which was shown exclusively in theaters and now just released on EWTN’s Facebook page: https://fb.watch/eyDBjBagfW/.

Are there any other comments you would like to share?

St. Nektarios of Aegina is a miraculous saint who has healed many people from cancer. I hope that people in need will ask for his help. In Greece, Serbia, Romania and other places where he is venerated, there are hospitals dedicated to him where patients with prayer and skillful doctors get healed. I have also personally witnessed miraculous healings from this wonderful saint. 

Learn more about MAN OF GOD here.

Related

Filed Under: 3 Minutes With, Movies Tagged With: Filmmakers, Interviews, Movie Interviews, Movies

Primary Sidebar

FOLLOW LISA

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On YoutubeVisit Us On Instagram

Substack Logo to go to Lisa's substack

FIND IT

Featured Films

Wicked

MOVIES

  • The Keeper: 3 Minutes with Angus Benfield
  • The Mission
  • The Burial

More Posts from this Category

Lisa’s Updates

Headshot of Lisa Hendey in 2025

Looking Forward with Hope

UPDATES

  • What’s Up with Lisa? Update from the Ball Chair for 11/15/23
  • In the Making: Update from the Ball Chair for 10/15/20
  • Companions for the Journey: Update from the Ball Chair for 09/14/20

More Posts from this Category

When you make a purchase using Lisa's Amazon links, she earns a small commission on your order. Thank you for your support!

Footer

 

 

Keep up with Lisa’s latest news:

QR Code for Lisa's Substack

Copyright © 2025 · Lisa M. Hendey - All Rights Reserved