The production company Optimistic Film, in co-production with TS Media, with the Blessing of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church and in cooperation with the Brotherhood of the Hilandar Monastery, has begun a project for a feature-length documentary film and series “Saint Sava.” Filming has been completed on Mount Athos at the Hilandar, Vatopedi, and Old Russikon monasteries, the Pateritsa cell, and other locations related to the life and work of Saint Sava on Mount Athos, and now continues across Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the USA.
The project was initiated by Dr. Nenad Janićijević from Pittsburgh, who, together with Miloš Kosta Papić from the USA, provided the initial funds for its realization. Aware that a top-tier author was needed for success, they decided to hire Dr. Željko Mirković, recognizing his internationally awarded work. Mirković, a director and producer of documentary films awarded 136 times, and author of two projects qualified for Oscar nominations, currently teaches documentary film at the University of Connecticut.
“Who was Saint Sava actually, when a powerful Ottoman Empire felt the need to burn his body three and a half centuries after his passing. So, does that not show us that they considered him alive, even though they were not believers, they were not Christians,” explained Metodije, the Abbot of the Hilandar Monastery, and added: “It is impossible to comprehend such a spiritual figure as Saint Sava if one does not discover what spiritual forces made him so great. And that spiritual force is actually the grace of God, which Saint Sava acquired by serving God from his earliest youth. If we think in that way, we understand why our compatriots living far from Serbia, from Serbian lands, built temples to Saint Sava, even those who were born there far from Serbia, who never even visited one of our shrines, how they have that love for Saint Sava. Exactly because that spiritual force that made Saint Sava great—God’s grace—is not limited by space, not limited by matter, but is present everywhere, and as the Lord said, the Kingdom of God is not somewhere over there in some place, but it is within you.”
The documentary film and series about Saint Sava represent much more than a television and film project. Saint Sava laid the foundations of Serbian literacy, the church, legislation, and diplomacy, and that contribution represents the foundation that still shapes the national identity today.
The strength of the historical and spiritual theme required a production that would match its significance, as noted by Aleksandra Martinović, Director of the Multimedia Division at Telekom Srbija: “The documentary project about Saint Sava (film and series) is part of a new production focus of TS Media, directed toward the development of ambitious documentary projects. This is a work that deals with one of the most important figures of our history and cultural identity, with a thorough and production-demanding approach rarely seen in regional documentary production. With this project, we confirm our strategic commitment to a new phase of TS Media production, in which, alongside already internationally recognized fictional content, special focus will also be placed on high-quality documentary programming with artistic, social, and educational value.”
“The story of Saint Sava is a story not only of our faith, state, and people, but also a story of a vision deeply rooted for centuries in the DNA of Serbs, wherever they are now in the world and wherever they lived during all these centuries. The documentary film and series about Saint Sava are needed by our people in moments of great global challenges as a foundation for preserving identity and as a guide for current and future generations. This film and series aim to tell a story about Faith and the strength that this Faith lives as part of our being, whose lighthouse was Saint Sava. Lord and Saint Sava, grant us the strength and wisdom to preserve the memory of our people through the film and series about Saint Sava. May his word, work, and peace be passed on to new generations as light in a time of doubt. Unite, Lord, all Serbian people wherever they may be in the world—in the fatherland, the diaspora, and abroad—so that in the spirit of Saint Sava we may be one in faith, language, culture, and love. May this story awaken harmony, dignity, and responsibility toward one another, and remind us who we are and where we come from,” emphasized director and producer Željko Mirković.
Dr. Nenad Janićijević, the patron of the documentary film “Saint Sava,” expressed a deep hope that this project will become a lasting testimony and spiritual legacy for future generations: “Lord, You who see the paths of nations and the fates of generations, receive this prayer of ours in the name of Saint Sava, the lighthouse You raised to lead the Serbian people through the centuries. Bless us, scattered across the world—in America, Europe, Australia, and everywhere children of Serbia live—that we do not forget who we are, that we do not lose our language, faith, and memory in the noise of a world that erases roots. Give us the strength to preserve the story of Saint Sava, of the man who taught that knowledge is sacred, that reconciliation is stronger than hatred, and that a nation is as great as its service to the truth. Let this film and series be our quiet testimony, our vow to future generations that Serbia is not just a land, but a soul, a tradition, and a prayer. Save our children from oblivion, so they know whose they are and where they come from, to carry the name of Saint Sava as a cross and as a light, wherever life leads them. Grant that through this film, a window of truth opens before the world, so others see the Serbian people not through wounds and suffering, but through the wisdom, faith, and dignity that Saint Sava left us. Lord, bless all who work on this deed, that their hand be clean and their intention holy, for this is not just art—this is the memory of a people. And may the name of Saint Sava remain written in the hearts of our children longer than every stone, longer than every time.”
Production: Optimistic Film and TS Media
With the Blessing of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church and in cooperation with the Brotherhood of the Hilandar Monastery.
Patrons of the project: Dr. Nenad Janićijević, Dr. Milena Janićijević, Miloš Kosta Papić, Maja Papić, Dr. Bora Janićijević, Dr. Nada Janićijević-Ghadimis, Dr. Jelica Janićijević-Mejz Producers: Dr. Željko Mirković, Director: Dr. Željko Mirković Screenplay: Prof. Dr. Vladislav Puzović, Mihajlo Vitezović Script Supervisor: Dr. Željko Mirković, Director of Photography: Ognjen Milović Executive Producers: Mikan Velinović, Vladimir Vasić, Đorđe Jovičić Film Director: Tamara Dinić Mirković, Editor: Pavle Nikić Composer: Dejan Ilijić; Sound Design: Aleksandar Perović Camera and Drone: Dragan Đorđević, Production Team: Dragan Bajić, Snežana Miletić, Design: Marija Marić Production Partner: American Council for Eastern Europe, Serbian Cultural Center ”Opančići” Washington, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, Belgrade, Museum of the City of Belgrade
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Source: Optimistik film; Photo: Optimistik film