Film Review: Emanuel
© Arbella Studios
As an organized religion cynic, this film moved me in surprising ways. To clarify, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a frequent attendee of a gospel church in Harlem, which never fails to move me in ways that my own Episcopalian upbringing never did. The larger picture which is emerging for me and is obvious for American black citizens, today more than ever, is that forgiveness is a necessary option for emotional and spiritual survival in order to stave off anger, hatred and resentment. You could say, this is a tangible example of white privilege. Think about that. How often do white people have to forgive such extreme hatred and injustice?
© 2019 Cornelius Film, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The recent courthouse scene of the sentencing of white policewoman Amber Geiger to ten years in jail for the shooting of the unarmed black man, Botham Jean in his own apartment, ended with Jean’s brother giving an emotional statement of forgiveness to Geiger and a sincere hug to her in the courtroom. All he asked was that she turn her life over to God. Outside, an angry and agitated crowd was waiting. As Trevor Noah said about this story, why is it so often black folks who seem to be capable of this type of compassion? Why shouldn’t everyone deserve this equally from all of us?
Emanuel tells the story of the aftermath of the horrible mass shooting in Charleston, S.C. four years ago, when Dylann Roof, a radicalized white supremacist, walked into a bible study class at Emanuel AME church and opened fire, killing 9 people. It opens with a clip of Jon Stewart’s opening monologue on The Daily Show, in which he is nearly speechless, stating there is no room for humor at this time. His distress is palpable. There follows a brief history of Charleston’s place in the history of slavery. That the city did not erupt into violence is a miracle, which can partially be attributed to the even-handedness and compassionate leadership by Mayor Joe Riley and Governor Nicky Haley, but mainly to the appearance of members of the Emanuel church at the arraignment of Dylann Roof two days later, who took turns speaking words of forgiveness to him.
© 2019 Cornelius Film, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
It’s a story of incredible grace and humanity in the face of unimaginable personal grief and an insight into the source of that generosity of spirit. The intensely intimate stories of the survivors of the shooting and the relatives of the murdered is a fitting memorial to both groups. Since that awful event, these survivors have taken it upon themselves to show up for others who have suffered similar assaults on their humanity, most notably the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. It is such a testament to the power of faith, and more necessary than ever in these days of violence and irrational hatred. If only it could kick-in before the fact and eradicate the need for extreme forgiveness. This film could provide a model for better way of being human. It is extremely inspiring and somehow optimistic, in spite of it all.
