Yelena Popovic, filmmaker known for faith-based films about Orthodox saints, discusses Moses the Black. She explains why she set the saint’s redemption story in modern Chicago. Short takes cover research with ex-gang members, casting high-profile collaborators, and portraying repentance and realistic priestly figures. The conversation focuses on filmmaking choices and reaching people who doubt forgiveness.
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Radical Transformation Of St. Moses
St. Moses the Black transformed from a violent gang leader into a revered desert father and martyr.
Yelena Popovic felt his death and radical repentance were artistically and spiritually compelling for modern storytelling.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Craft Over Message
Make films about spiritual subjects with top craft to avoid being dismissed as poor faith-based work.
Aim first to make a genuinely good movie, then let the spiritual message follow through craft and honesty.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Icon Appears To A Nun
Father Theotimos' sister saw St. Moses appear and painted his icon after asking him to show himself.
Yelena received that icon and took it as a sign to continue developing the film.
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I speak with filmmaker Yelena Popovic, who viewers may recognize as the director of the stunning film of the life of St. Nektarios of Aegina, Man of God (2021). In this interview we discuss her upcoming film, Moses the Black, releasing January 30th of this year. We talk about film making, her inspiration for the film, the people involved, the life story of St. Moses the Black, and repentance in general in the Orthodox faith.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/rzDVfbhaaGU
Film synopsis: Released from prison, a feared Chicago gang leader returns home to avenge the murder of his closest friend. As rival gangs and a corrupt cop close in, he must confront a past that refuses to let go. Release date: 30 January 2026 (USA) Director: Yelena Popovic Producers: Yelena Popovic, Alexandros Potter, Jelena Popović, Brett Hays Executive producers: Omar Epps, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa et al. Production companies: G-Unit Films and Television Inc., Simeon Entertainment, LLC, BrooklynWorks Films Running time: 1h 50m
Stay up to date about the film: Trailer: https://youtu.be/iZzpiu8L21Y?si=ZxXRxWuiL_yosuEY Website: https://simeonfaith.com/films/moses-the-black-2024 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosestheblackmovie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosestheblackmovie/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32542065/
Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:14 - Intro music 01:39 - Start 02:32 - Introducing St. Moses the Black 08:50 - St. Moses' death 13:32 - The movie vs the hagiography 31:29 - A harsh redemption 35:13 - Sorry is not enough 37:36 - See the whole story 42:32 - Stories of St. Moses 44:24 - Fr. Turbo 49:45 - How can we watch this? 51:43 - Other projects
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