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New Men

New Men chronicles one year in the life of a Russian Orthodox monastery in rural West Virginia. The monk's reflections on shedding former identities to embrace new lives of prayerful asceticism are woven together with rarely seen moments of the community’s 1,700-year-old monastic tradition. As the brotherhood prepares for Pascha, the most important Orthodox holiday, Father Justin contemplates his upcoming final vows to live in the monastery until his death.

  • Sam Cox
    Director
  • Sam Cox
    Producer
  • Sam Cox
    Editor
  • Sam Cox
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    48 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 5, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sam Cox

Sam's work has been featured by NPR, WIRED, and Fast Company. He has worked as a graphic designer in New York City, an organic farmer outside of Pittsburgh, and a documentary filmmaker out of his home town of Raleigh, North Carolina. His work centers around themes of place, geography, and spirituality and explores the tensions between contemporary culture and ancient traditions.

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Director Statement

I began making New Men as a way of reflecting on deep spiritual questions after leaving my own faith. By immersing myself in the life of Holy Cross Hermitage, and getting to know the profound faith of the men there, I eventually converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church myself.