"This life is a valley of tears; it’s filled with suffering, with pain, and ultimately ends in death, and only makes sense in the light of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re going to choose a battle, choose the right one.”
By Julia Rose
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Mt. 26:52)
In the fourth century, a bandit and murderer in Ethiopia abandoned his merciless ways to become a Christian monk and, ultimately, a revered saint. More than 1,600 years later, his story is mirrored in the life of a ruthless gang leader in the new film “Moses the Black.”
Writer and co-producer Yelena Popovic is best known for her 2021 award-winning film “Man of God,” about another Eastern Orthodox saint, St. Nectarios of Aegina. Joining her for “Moses the Black” are two popular rap artists: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a co-producer, and Wiz Khalifa, who produced the soundtrack and also acts in the film.
Opening in cinemas on Jan. 30 and distributed by Fathom Entertainment, “Moses the Black” is (not surprisingly) not rated (NR), probably given its graphic violence, pervasive profanity (use of the “N” word is excessive), and depictions of drug use. This is a film purely for mature adults, and viewers who stay the course will be rewarded with a profound tale of mercy and redemption.
More to life after death
The film begins in flashback, depicting the death of Moses the Black (Chukwudi Iwuji) and seven other monks in 405 A.D., as they choose martyrdom over violence.
Fast-forward to the modern day Windy City, and we meet Malik (Omar Epps), a gang leader who has just been released from prison. Thirsting for revenge, he goes after the gang which brutally killed one of his friends.
Not so fast, says Malik’s saintly grandmother, Nana (Jacqueline Williams), who raised him. She intervenes and hands him a St. Moses the Black prayer card for protection, with a reminder: There is so much more to life after death.
Malik is not convinced. “It don’t matter if there’s a Heaven or Hell,” he tells her. “My fate is my fate.”
As the death toll mounts among rival gangs, Malik is haunted by visions of St. Moses, who reminds him, “He who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword.”
Mercy lesson
Malik’s encounter with a pastor, Fr. Turbo Qualls (a priest in real life), offers a powerful lesson in mercy.
As Malik questions how God could ever forgive him, Fr. Turbo replies, “God forgives. This life is a valley of tears; it’s filled with suffering, with pain, and ultimately ends in death, and only makes sense in the light of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re going to choose a battle, choose the right one.”
Amen! The real St. Moses the Black would agree!
To learn more, visit fathomentertainment.com/releases/moses-the-black/
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