The TV star is one of the executive producers on this coming Christian documentary.
Mariska Hargitay is best known for her leading role on the long-running detective show Law & Order: SVU. The Emmy-winning actress has been on the program since its inception in 1999. But now she is taking her talents behind the camera in Emanuel, a documentary about the 2015 mass shooting at a church in Charleston, SC.
This film, from Christian director Brian Ivie, focuses on the unbelievable act of forgiveness that followed the murders of nine congregants at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by a white supremacist. Just days later, during a court proceeding, family members of the victims publicly forgave the gunman in a stunning display of Christian grace.
Hargitay discussed the film this week in an appearance on NBC's Today show. She says her heart was "pierced into a million tiny pieces" when she watched it, but that it left her with "so much hope."
"I was utterly blown away. And in the end, it's an extremely healing movie and a movie about grace...what really resonated with me is how radical grace is, how radical it is."
Amen to that! There is nothing like the grace that comes through Christ and there is no way the forgivess at the heart of this film happens without the savior's role in the lives of those who extended it in the nightmare circumstances of mass murder.
Hargitay is not the only big name attached to this project. Fellow actress Viola Davis, a South Carolina native, and professional basketball star, and committed Christian, Stephen Curry are serving with her as co-executive producers. Emanuel will be a limited engagement release, showing nationwide for just two days: June 17th and 19th. You can find out where it's playing via this link and watch he trailer below to get a sense of what to expect. And you can see Hargitay's entire Today interview by clicking this link.