Exhibiting Forgiveness: A Film About Trauma, Art, and the Complexity of Forgiveness
LOS ANGELES, October 17 (Reuters) – Renowned Black contemporary painter Titus Kaphar makes his directorial debut with “Exhibiting Forgiveness”, a deeply personal film inspired by his own journey and dedicated to his teenage sons. “What made me make this film was really my sons,” Kaphar told Reuters.
A Personal and Necessary Conversation:
Kaphar shared that the movie is his way of opening a dialogue with his children about the challenges of his upbringing. “My kids are at an age now where I can’t keep saying, ‘when you get a bit older, I’ll tell you more.’ My oldest son is 17 and going off to college. My second son is 15. I wanted to find a way to have a conversation with them about the reality of my experience.”
Story and Cast:
Distributed by Roadside Attractions, the drama, loosely based on Kaphar’s life, hits theaters this Friday. The story follows a young married couple, Tarrell (played by Andre Holland) and Aisha (played by Andra Day), who travel with their young son to help Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), move out of her home.
Conflict arises when La’Ron, Tarrell’s formerly abusive, drug-addicted father, returns after getting his life together and asks for forgiveness. Played by John Earl Jelks, La’Ron forces Tarrell to confront painful memories while deciding whether he’s ready to forgive.
Art as Healing:
For Kaphar, art is central to the narrative: Tarrell processes his emotions through painting, while Aisha uses music to navigate the family’s changes. “Andre came to my studio for three months, and I taught him how to paint so that the scenes could be exactly how I wanted,” Kaphar revealed. “It was this back-and-forth process of painting and directing, but it was fun because of the synergy between us.”
A Unique Take on Forgiveness:
Andre Holland praised the film’s fresh perspective on generational trauma within Black families. “I’ve seen films that address this theme, but this one is unique because it doesn’t presuppose that complete forgiveness is the only choice,” Holland said. “Titus suggests that forgiveness can come with boundaries—that it’s possible to forgive and still be safe.”
Watch Exhibiting Forgiveness trailer full of terror, suspense, and spine-chilling moments!
