Watch: Trailer For ‘Emanuel’ Movie About Charleston Church Shooting Released [VIDEO]

As the anniversary of the Charleston Church shooting and Dylann Roof’s first court appearance approaches, the trailer for the Emanuel movie documenting the massacre has emerged. The film, which was produced by Steph Curry’s Unanimous Media company, Viola Davis, Julius Tennons’ JuVee Productions and Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, sheds light on the history of race relations in Charleston, what was significant about the church and how it bounced back from tragedy, plus hopes to continue to emerge.  Watch: On May 15, survivors and family members of of the victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, S.C. gathered at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. to view an exclusive screening of the upcoming documentary. A press release states: 

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Co-producer Mariska Hargitay welcomed guests to the screening with opening remarks and spoke to the crowd about the importance of the film and its compelling message of forgiveness and resilience in the face of hatred. She then introduced Chaplain Barry Black, who led both an invocation prayer before the screening, and presented an award in remembrance of the late Reverend and Senator Clementa Pinckney to his widow Jennifer Pinckney. Senator Pinckney’s life was lost in the shooting and he was famously eulogized by former President Barack Obama.

 After the screening of the film, Mariska Hargitay introduced award-winning journalist Roland Martin who moderated a panel discussion and Q&A with survivor Polly Sheppard, and family members of the victims Nadine Collier, Chris Singleton and Reverend Anthony Batiste Thompson. Producer Dimas Salaberrios then closed the event with a group prayer before attendees enjoyed a reception with light hors d’oeuvres.

As a direct partnership with the City of Charleston, producers will donate their share of the profits from the movie to the survivors and families members of victims.  Emanuel hits select theaters through Fathrom Events on June 17 and June 19 only – the anniversaries of the shooting and Dylann Roof’s first appearance in court. For more info, visit https://www.fathomevents.com/event/emanuel-2019.  See photos from the exclusive screening at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. below…

1. EMANUEL Film Screening At Museum Of The Bible

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: Friends and family of “The EMANUEL 9” before a screening of the film ‘EMANUEL’ at the Museum of the Bible on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for EMANUEL Film) photography,arts culture and entertainment,friendship,horizontal,family,usa,movie,film screening,screening,washington dc,museum of the bible

2. EMANUEL Film Screening At Museum Of The Bible

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: (L-R) Roland Martin leads a panel discussion with Nadine Collier, Polly Sheppard, Rev. Anthony Batiste Thompson, and Chris Singleton after the screening of the film ‘EMANUEL’ at the Museum of the Bible on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for EMANUEL Film) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,movie,film screening,screening,discussion,washington dc,large group of people,roland martin,museum of the bible,chris singleton

3. EMANUEL Film Screening At Museum Of The Bible

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: (L-R) Roland Martin leads a panel discussion with Nadine Collier, Polly Sheppard, Rev. Anthony Batiste Thompson, and Chris Singleton after the screening of the film ‘EMANUEL’ at the Museum of the Bible on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for EMANUEL Film) photography,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,movie,film screening,screening,discussion,washington dc,five people,roland martin,museum of the bible,chris singleton

4. EMANUEL Film Screening At Museum Of The Bible

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: Attendees at a screening of the film ‘EMANUEL’ at the Museum of the Bible on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for EMANUEL Film) photography,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,movie,film screening,screening,washington dc,museum of the bible

5. EMANUEL Film Screening At Museum Of The Bible

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: Nadine Collier, actress Mariska Hargitay, Sharon Risher and her daughter after a screening of the film ‘EMANUEL’ at the Museum of the Bible on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for EMANUEL Film) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,movie,film screening,screening,actress,females,four people,daughter,washington dc,three quarter length,mariska hargitay,museum of the bible