NEW YORK, NY – by Markos Papadatos
Greek-American actor and filmmaker George Zouvelos spoke with Markos Papadatos about his Greek heritage and his new movie “Once a Week for Life.” Zouvelos wrote, directed, and stars in this film as Adam Galanis.
The synopsis is: When a New York crime family and City Hall collide, a moral masochist NYPD lieutenant must choose: die by his own code or compromise and live as something worse. Justice Demands Blood.
On his experience making “Once a Week for Life,” Zouvelos said, “It was a deeply personal and creatively demanding experience. As creator, writer, director, narrator, lead actor, and producer, I lived with the film at every stage, from its earliest conception through its final form. That level of involvement carries a great deal of responsibility, but it also brings a profound sense of purpose. For me, the experience was about far more than making a film. It was about realizing a vision with discipline, honesty, and emotional conviction.”
Zouvelos was drawn to his character, Adam, for several reasons. “What drew me most to the character was his humanity. He is not defined by a single quality, but by contradiction, strength, vulnerability, loyalty, and moral tension. I have always been interested in characters who feel lived in, who are wrestling with something beneath the surface. What stayed with me most was his inner conflict and the effort to preserve dignity and identity in a world that continuously pressures both,” he said.
On taking on the dual roles of actor and director, he said, “In this case, it was an unusual and very intimate process, because I was also directing the film. That requires a constant shift in perspective. You have to remain emotionally available as an actor while also maintaining the objectivity needed to guide the larger work. It demands discipline, clarity, and trust in your instincts. At the same time, it gave me the ability to protect the tone, rhythm, and emotional truth of the story in a very direct way.”
When asked about the lessons learned from the screenplay, he reflected, “The screenplay reaffirmed for me how deeply I value truth in storytelling. It reminded me that I am most drawn to the moral and emotional lives of people, to questions of conscience, sacrifice, love, regret, and endurance. It also taught me something about resilience. When you write with honesty, you inevitably encounter parts of yourself in the process, and that can be both humbling and clarifying.”
On being a part of the digital age, Zouvelos said, “It is a remarkable time for artists because the pathways to audiences are broader and more immediate than ever before. Streaming and digital platforms have transformed the reach of cinema and opened doors that once seemed inaccessible to independent storytellers. At the same time, the speed of the culture can make it even more important to protect substance and craftsmanship. Technology is an extraordinary tool, but it can never replace emotional truth. For me, the challenge is to embrace the possibilities of the era while remaining faithful to the integrity of the work.”
Zouvelos also opened up about his Greek-American heritage. “My Greek-American heritage is central to who I am, both personally and artistically. It shaped my understanding of family, faith, sacrifice, dignity, and perseverance,” he said. “Greek culture carries an abiding sense of history and memory, and I think that sensibility naturally informs the kinds of stories I am compelled to tell.”
“To be Greek-American is to carry a rich inheritance while also forging your place in America, and that dual perspective has deeply influenced the way I see the world,” he acknowledged.
He also shared his thoughts on the Greek-American community here in the United States. “I see the Greek American community as one marked by resilience, continuity, and contribution. It has preserved a strong connection to heritage while also participating meaningfully in every part of American life. What I admire most is its emphasis on family, faith, hard work, and cultural memory. Like many communities, it faces the ongoing challenge of passing those values to younger generations, but I believe there is real strength in that effort and real beauty in the determination to preserve identity while continuing to evolve,” he said.
Regarding his definition of the word success, Zouvelos said, “Success, to me, has very little to do with appearance and everything to do with meaning. It is being able to live with a clear conscience, to endure difficulty without surrendering your principles, and to create work that carries honesty, value, and emotional weight. Recognition can be gratifying, of course, but it is not the deepest measure.”
“Real success is knowing that the work is true, that it reached people, and that the sacrifices required to make it were not in vain,” he added.
For fans and viewers, he expressed, “I hope viewers come away from ‘Once a Week for Life’ with something that feels genuine and lasting. I want them to be engaged by the story, but beyond that, I hope they connect with its humanity, its tensions, its emotional honesty, and its moral questions. If the film leaves them reflecting on their own choices, their own relationships, and the quiet weight of conscience, then it has given them something meaningful, and that is what matters most.”
For more information on Greek-American filmmaker and actor George Zouvelos, follow him on Instagram and check out his Linktree page.
