these days, most film studios outside the faith-based sector don't bother to tell them at all.
That is what makes the upcoming film Moses the Black such an interesting event, along with its unique narrative framing. Saint Moses of Ethiopia served as a monk and abbot in the fourth century, transforming his life by accepting Christ after a life of bloody criminal activity. Moses the Black, recognized as a saint in the Orthodox and Catholic churches, converted after fleeing to a monastery after a career of murder, terror, and mayhem. He struggled in faith, finding it difficult to leave his life of criminality on one hand and despairing at redemption for it on the other.
Rather than take that story on directly, however, rapper Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson teamed up with Simeon Faith, the Nick Mirkopoulos Cinematic Fund, and Fathom Entertainment to exec-produce a film that sets the redemption question in a modern, violent setting. It mainly follows the recently released gang member Malik (Omar Epps) and his return to Chicago, seeking revenge for the murder of his mentor and partner Sayeed. His crew wants revenge, but Malik's grandmother introduces him to the story of St. Moses the Black, whose life parallels Malik's and is shown in flashbacks throughout the film. Everything escalates in Malik's life – a gang war, potential betrayal, and Malik's growing sense that he yearns for redemption, even if it comes in the harsh terms of the life he's led. //
Moses the Black would get an R rating for very good reasons. It has graphic violence, bad language, and enough emotional turbulence that children and teens probably shouldn't see the film. For those too young to see this film, may I suggest this YouTube video on Saint Moses himself. His redemption story may be lesser known than that of other saints such as Augustine, but it is no less inspirational. https://youtu.be/jCmn1ENRVLM?si=yUUqqrHeFKFr5kHr
