By Diane Howard, Ph.D.
A Prophet Like Me is a two-part feature movie from filmmaker William Panko that will have worldwide appeal. It distinguishes itself from other biblical and Jesus films through its strong commitment to authenticity. It presents the biblical text with careful attention to their original linguistic historical, geographical and cultural context, seeking to reflect the world in which the events took place. Christians who desire a deeper rooting in scripture will especially appreciate this fresh broach to portraying the life of Christ on screen.
For viewers interested in seeing a more textually grounded and culturally attentive portrayal of the life and ministry of Christ, A Prophet Like Me offers an immersive retelling that aims to bring greater clarity to the Scriptures as they are brought to life on screen. The title comes from the following biblical passages: Deuteronomy 18:15, where Moses speaks of a prophet whom God will raise up from among the people; Deuteronomy 18:18, where God promises to put His words into the mouth of this prophet; Acts 3:22, where Peter quotes Moses and identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophecy; Acts 7:37, where Stephen recalls Moses’ prophecy concerning a future prophet; John 1:21, where John the Baptist is asked whether he is the Prophet foretold by Moses; and Hebrews 1:1–2, which explains that God spoke through the prophets in the past and has now spoken definitively through His Son, Jesus Christ.
A Prophet Like Me is the first feature film about the life of Jesus Christ in which all of the actors speak using consistent, authentic dialects and accents. (An accent refers to the pronunciation of an individual speaker, whereas a dialect encompasses the distinctive pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar shared by a cultural or regional community of speakers.) This unique film, created with meticulous attention to historical, cultural, textual, and linguistic detail, is the first to feature all actors speaking with consistent, authentic dialects while presenting biblical passages in their original languages throughout.
Authentic dialects, which faithfully reflect the cultures of the characters they portray, make films more believable and elevate their artistic quality and emotional impact. They also honor the historical, literary, and linguistic integrity of the stories being told. This is important because when biblical texts are used, they should not be compromised or misrepresented. Creating films based on Scripture or other historical events and documents requires careful study of firsthand, primary sources, together with their broader contexts—including their historical, cultural, societal, geographical, literary, and linguistic settings. Only by understanding these original contexts can a film accurately and authentically represent the people, events, and words it portrays.
William Panko is the executive producer, screenwriter, and interim director of A Prophet Like Me. Additional producers, key crew members, and other notable filmmakers involved with the production are listed on IMDb. The film also features more than 40 supporting roles, as listed on IMDb, portrayed by accomplished actors including Kevin Sorbo, Lee Benton, Josh Murray, David Novak, and many other experienced performers.
Aaron Christian Paderewski (The Sins Beneath) serves as both a co-producer and actor for A Prophet Like Me, and brings extensive experience across a wide range of film and television genres. In the film, he portrays Gestas, the unrepentant thief crucified alongside Jesus. Paderewski delivers a powerful and emotionally compelling performance, demonstrating his ability to portray complex characters with authenticity and intensity. In addition to his work as an actor, he contributes valuable filmmaking expertise in his role as co-producer, strengthening the production both creatively and technically.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Aaron Paderewski:
Diane Howard: What drew you to this project?
Aaron Paderewski: I have been drawn to this project because it is a true story that will be presented authentically. Goals for this movie include high standards of cinematography and multi-dimensional, quality acting that presents a meaty, complex story that is the most important of all time.
DH: What impresses you most about this movie?
AP: It will be unique as it presents new in-depth insights and knowledge about the life of Christ and other characters.
DH: How does this movie allow for strong acting?
AP: It allows for real, intense, authentic internal and external acting and requires knowledge of the back story of each character. It requires multi-dimensional complex acting in authentic environments that will enable the audience to profoundly experience the scenes with the actors.
DH: How are you interested in serving it as an actor and filmmaker?
AP: I want to provide a realistic and intense performance as Gestas. As a co-producer I hope to bring my experience as a producer and director to help make this movie as powerful and impacting as possible.
DH: How is this movie unique?
AP: All aspects of this movie are to be authentic as they present the most amazing real period in all history. The audience will see realistic, tough, gritty environments in which real people will be seen multi-dimensionally and in-depth. It will have less special effects and will draw audiences in with authentic actors and environments.
DH: How does it stand apart from other biblical movies?
AP: The entire cast will be dedicated Christians who know and can portray Truth. They will study back stories and be able to perform authentically with appropriate dialects and behaviors. They will be able to perform tough, hard scenes believably and realistically. The acting will not be shallow, one-dimensional, superficial. The characters will not be stock characters but real ones presented realistically, authentically, and multi-dimensionally.
DH: Why is this movie important for our times?
AP: It will present truth realistically. It will encourage faith. What is good will be presented as what is truly good and what is evil as truly evil. Concerning evil, it must be presented as real. The audience will see evil as it really is, even when it hides in the shadows and appears normal and ordinary.
DH: How is work on this movie affecting you personally?
AP: It has given me hope for a Christian movie that is more authentic, realistic, and can support the shift toward true faith that is not empty, superficial, over-simplified but is based on scholarship, real knowledge, and in-depth meaning as it changes hearts and minds for good forever. It has given me hope that a movie can draw audiences closer to God and motivate them to do what is right.
DH: In your preparation for the role of Gestas, how were you affected personally?
AP: Gestas evidently was a murderer and a thief, but I also realized that he doubted that Jesus was the Christ. I could identify with Gestas by remembering when I had experienced that kind of doubt and how it affected me.
DH: How has working on this movie had a transforming personal effect?
AP: I am grateful to this moviefor theopportunity to be involved in something greater than myself.
DH: What kind of impact do you hope this movie will make on others?
AP: I hope that it provides greater discernment about what is true, what it good, and what is evil. I hope that this movie will have a profound, life-changing impact on all who see it. I hope the audience will see the real humanity of Jesus, The Christ and Son of God. I hope they will see that Jesus was one of us, that He cares for us, that He loves us.
DH: Do you think this movie will have a broad, universal appeal
AP: Yes, it will have a broad, universal appeal on minds, hearts, and emotions, as it encourages faith.
According to William Panko, A Prophet Like Me presents cinematic reenactments of Jesus’ messianic revelation, including His appearances to Cleopas and Simon on the road to Emmaus:
“…Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” — Luke 24:27
“…Then He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” — Luke 24:45
It is Sovereign’s fervent prayer that the one, true God would sovereignly open the understanding of Scripture for those who watch this film, making it unequivocally clear that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah to all who are searching—whether Jew, Arab, or Gentile—those who are in the “valley of decision” (Joel 3:14).
Panko describes these “glory stories” as:
- historically grounded (drawing on accounts attributed to respected historians and Jewish/Roman archival sources)
- a revival of the epic cinematic tradition
- a dramatized retelling of the four Gospels, which he affirms are “the power of God unto salvation”
- an expression of the filmmakers’ calling as “holy moviemakers”
He also notes that the project uniquely:
- reenacts preparatory years in Jesus’ life and His spiritual development
- juxtaposes Old Testament prophecies with their fulfillment in Christ
- presents interpretive “master keys” for understanding the Old Testament in light of the New Covenant
- uses cinematic techniques to portray the supernatural realm, including angels and demons
- illuminates Isaiah 53:1–12 verse by verse in relation to the life and mission of Christ
- explores both the suffering Messiah (Messiah ben Joseph) and the reigning Messiah (Messiah ben David)
- dramatizes more than 100 prophecies across 84 stories, presenting Jesus (Yeshua) as the only way to God, salvation, and eternal life
He concludes, “Together, we fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel with 195 countries.”
Diane Howard, Ph.D. is a dialogue, dialect and voice-over coach, as well as a journalist who writes about the role of faith in movies and in the entertainment field. She is also the Chief Dialect Officer, interviewer, and publicist for “A Prophet Like Me.” Her website is dianehoward.com.