SCREEN | André Holland Paints and Heals – 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'

"Some things can't be worked out on canvas."

Roadside Attractions / Vortex Media

Accomplished African-American contemporary painter Titus Kaphar makes his directing debut in a soulful but piercing Michigan family drama. Touching on issues of artistry, generational trauma, and parenthood through the lens of fractured fathers and sons, Exhibiting Forgiveness tells a tender semi-autobiographical story of forgiving yourself and your family.

André Holland (with Ian Foreman as his younger self) lays himself bare as a successful but tortured painter, Tarrell (a Kaphar stand-in), with an abusive past from his estranged unhoused addict father (John Earl Jelks) who shows back up in his life unexpectedly after finding a path to recovery. Kaphar takes his time building out Tarrell's other relationships with his loving musician wife (Andra Day) and stubborn mother (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor). It's a small film of extended moments of meaningful character bonds.

Kaphar and Holland make the rich Detroit-set film such a complex portrait of fatherhood told through the shared histories of its characters remixed through an artist's eye and process. Exhibiting Forgiveness shows the complicated backstories and life experiences of creative people that drive their motivations or inspirations on a journey of healing.

Exhibiting Forgiveness will be available to stream on various digital platforms and through video on demand in Canada starting January 14th.


More | Indiewire / Moveable Fest