Emanuel

I had the privilege of meeting and working with Brian Ivie. He is one the most down to earth, gentle, and striking storytellers I know. Emanuel will move you to think beyond politics and leave you both broken because of the past AND hopeful for the future. The true story behind the victims of the Emanuel church shooting. Not just the ones who died, but the ones that were left behind. Heartbreaking. See the movie in an intimate setting with friends you can talk openly with. So important.

This is one of the best documentaries that I have seen in years. An unspeakable tragedy tranformed into a story about love, hope, and forgiveness.

The Stream: Only in theaters June 17 through June 19th.

The Big Screen: Heart wrenching narrative of the delicate balance of faith amidst harsh race relations.

The Final Bill: Catch this in the theater while you can, and if you miss it, you should definitely request it on a streaming service.

-S2S

I am actually very glad to be able to present a movie that is close to my soul, Emanuel. Many people remember the headlines about the Emanuel 9, but few remember the people who were truly affected. This limited release movie/documentary from some first time film producers, brings us their story. This film brings us their heart. Emanuel is going to be a movie that flies under the radar, but deserves to be in the forefront of this country's face and spiritual heart. And I'm glad celebrities such as Stephen Curry and Viola Davis had the heart to get behind this film. So, let's get to it.

Emanuel, is a deep dive into the four surviving relatives that ultimately shaped the tide of a divided country. The producers of this film did a great job of storytelling. They do a seamless job of navigating current events and feelings, history and spiritual presence. Many times films get lost in typical frameworks, but the producers challenged that narrative. This is part of the reason why I stated it is a movie/documentary. Most would clearly state this as a documentary, but the feel and parts of the beginning of this movie are artfully and cinematically done.

With that said, this movie/documentary is truly about the interviewees and the lesson this country desperately needs to learn from them. Amidst speaking about the loss of their loved ones, these people find a way to speak love, life, and forgiveness into this film. This is ultimately, the best part of the film. There are messages in this film that are needed for this country to heal and move forward. Christians/religious leaders need to be at the forefront of the healing of this country. And, putting your faith in everything good, even when it hurts, is the only message needed to get us past this cultural divide. The producers of this film gave this message a great medium.

Long story short, this movie must be seen and supported no matter where you see it. This movie evokes powerful emotions but, more importantly, powerful conversations about race relations and religious belief. In order for this country to succeed and to grow, a movie like this is necessary. Necessary to spark conversation, healing and spiritual growth. So, go see this in the theater or ask that your local theater add more showings of this film. If not, definitely support by finding this on some streaming service or requesting for it.

This movie took the time to venture into the internal feelings of survivors of the Emanuel 9 shooting. Since it is a documentary it is carefully edited to make important yet unforgettable points without traumatizing the viewers. It lays a historical foundation, it tells the immediate trauma faced by the daughter of a victim, tt humanizes the victims and gave their lives value it tells the story of hate inbreed and born in the shooter who seeks maximum input, it tells how trust in God and your beliefs in Jesus allows a person to forgive and forgive with the same love of Jesus Christ. it tells how what could have been the match that lit a "race war" in the USA was extinguished.

The writer and editor did an excellent job highlighting important facts without being "in your face" graphic. A soft approach to a hard core situation. I gave it a 10 because I am hypersensitive and expected to boo hoo throughout -- instead I felt the grace of God in their lives of the survivors instead. A must see.

Emmanuel manages to tell a riveting, heartbreaking story, while successfully refraining from glorifying a killer. It is unfortunate how forgettable these tragedies can become, as society has to acclimate and recover from what seems like a new headline every month. Still, Ivie accomplished the impossible task of making the story about the victims only. Is the evil subject mentioned? Sure. But this documentary is not his documentary. This film gives the families of the fallen a chance to speak and let those distant from the tragedy have an idea of what they went through, and how large this problem truly was, and still is.

Even with a message to share, this piece is able to deliver it without preaching to the audience. Nothing feels heavy handed or over-explained. Ivie lays out the facts, then lets the viewer decide on their own what weight this issue carries. Although I left the theater with tears in my eyes, I also left with a feeling of empowerment and forgiveness -- something that was a focus of the film makers.