A powerful new film is in development that brings the astonishing life of a fourth-century saint into a contemporary setting—and Catholic audiences have reason to be both inspired and intrigued.
The movie, Moses the Black, is scheduled to begin production later this year and will retell the radical conversion of St. Moses the Black, a once-notorious gang leader of his time who became a devout monk and martyr. In a unique and modern twist, the film will be set in present-day Chicago, portraying the saint’s story through the eyes of a modern gangster wrestling with his own path to redemption.
The film is being produced by Simeon Faith, an equity film fund under Simeon Entertainment, which focuses on financing and producing faith-based films with global reach and studio-level distribution. According to Simeon Faith’s announcement on March 13, the film will feature Omar Epps, Chukwudi Iwuji, and rappers Wiz Khalifa and Quavo in starring roles. Executive producers include Epps, Khalifa, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
A Saint with a Past
St. Moses the Black’s real-life story is one of the most powerful examples of repentance and redemption in the history of the Church. Born an Ethiopian in Egypt in the late 4th century, Moses was enslaved as a young man. He was eventually dismissed by his master for theft and suspected murder. After his dismissal, he became the leader of a violent gang of robbers. But something unexpected happened: while hiding from authorities at a monastery near Alexandria, Moses was deeply moved by the prayerful lives of the monks.
Rather than returning to a life of crime, Moses chose to embrace the monastic life. He underwent a complete transformation, becoming known for his humility, deep repentance, and holiness. Around the year 400 A.D., Moses and several fellow monks were martyred by a band of raiders. Today, he is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern and Western traditions of the Church.
A Modern Retelling for Today’s Audience
The creative vision behind Moses the Black belongs to Yelena Popovic, best known for her previous film, Man of God, which told the story of St. Nectarios of Aegina. Popovic serves as writer, director, and producer, alongside her husband Alexandros Potter.
In an interview with Catholic News Agency, Popovic explained that she was originally inspired by Moses’ “story of repentance” and was “fascinated” by his transformation. However, the script didn’t come together immediately. “I was experiencing writer’s block,” she said, “and felt it was best to put Moses the Black to the side until I finished filming Man of God.”
Later, a breakthrough came: “That’s when I had this epiphany about telling his story through the eyes of a modern-day gangster in Chicago and I felt that that was probably the best way to do justice to the story of St. Moses the Black and his incredible repentance and life that he had,” Popovic told CNA.
Grounded in Real Stories of Redemption
To ensure the story resonated with authenticity, Popovic spent time speaking with individuals from communities affected by crime and violence. She met with people who had lived criminal lifestyles but had experienced profound personal transformations.
“I asked people if they thought that the story would help their community—this was the key—and everyone was very much for it. So that gave me hope and courage to do something like that,” she said.
One powerful encounter involved a man from Pittsburgh who had left a life of crime and now helps youth escape gang life, putting himself at risk to do so. These firsthand accounts helped shape a screenplay that “speaks to people for real,” Popovic explained, emphasizing that the story had to go beyond simply mimicking the life of St. Moses and instead needed to carry “the reality in it.”
“The Only Way We Can Have an Impact”
Popovic shared that the cast and producers were moved by the message of the film. “This is why I believe that 50 and Wiz, and a lot of people that would like to see the communities doing better and they would like to see this world being a better place, they realize that the only way that we can have an impact is if we speak the language of the people,” she told CNA.
This approach is particularly important for Catholic audiences who are eager to see faith-based storytelling reach beyond the walls of the Church. By adapting the story of St. Moses to the modern inner city, Moses the Black hopes to invite viewers into a deeper reflection on mercy, forgiveness, and the transformative power of grace.
A Message of Christ’s Mercy
More than a historical drama or a modern-day morality tale, Popovic says her hope for the film is ultimately evangelical. “We have to really understand that he is the Savior, he forgives sins—there is no human being that cannot come to him and change with his help,” she said. “So I’m trying to give hope to people—this is ultimately the message of the Gospel. Jesus said I came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous ones.”
In a world that often seems overwhelmed by violence, despair, and division, the story of St. Moses the Black is a striking reminder that no soul is beyond redemption. His life—and now his legacy through film—testifies to the radical mercy of God.
As Catholic viewers await the release of Moses the Black, the story of a gang leader turned saint is poised to stir the hearts of audiences everywhere, offering a bold new witness to the hope found only in Christ.
