Showing Forgiveness starring André Holland and Andra Day

LOS ANGELES – Forgiving and confronting a painful past can be difficult.

In “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” André Holland plays Tarrell, an American painter whose artwork draws beauty from the angst of his youth while keeping the wounds of the past at bay. His path to success is derailed when his estranged father, LáRon (John Earl Jelks), returns, stricken with conscience and desperate for reconciliation.

The film is not just about fatherhood, family, hope and generational trauma, but for director and artist Titus Kaphar, it is a personal journey in which most of the characters are based on people he loves. . Kaphar told Spectrum News that it was through the process of making “Exhibiting Forgiveness” that made him realize that the things he was doing through his artistic practice could potentially lead to healing from generational trauma.

“Not only healing for me, but also healing for my family. “I’ve always used my work as a cathartic process to go deeper and deeper into the things I feel,” she said.

For Andra Day, who plays Aisha, Tarrell’s wife, forgiveness, for her, is being faithful to God and breaking free.

“Forgiveness is not easy. Forgiveness is a great challenge. It’s a close battle, so we have to have grace with each other. Forgiveness is also a choice we have to make every day,” he told Spectrum News.

For “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” Day lends her powerful vocals to the movie song “Bricks,” which was written by Cassandra Batie and Jherek Bischoff. For Day, the song is a way of knowing that past trauma does not define the present or the future, nor does it have to control it.

“One of the greatest miracles and one of the greatest blessings is our ability to create a life, a present, a future that we have never really experienced. How you create a peaceful environment when all you’ve ever known is abuse…that’s miraculous. “That’s what I want people to know about the song,” he said.

Another topic that “Exhibiting Forgiveness” addresses is that of addiction and substance abuse, while highlighting hope.

Jelks told Spectrum News that his message to anyone who may find themselves struggling is to forgive themselves.

“If you can forgive yourself, then you can ask for forgiveness, because if you don’t correct what you feel is wrong with you, there is no way you can show that there is real change. I think you have to start with yourself first. And then be prepared to know what it’s going to look like on the other end because it may not look like what you imagined,” he said.

Holland told Spectrum News that “Showing Forgiveness” is an invitation for people to consider finding forgiveness in relationships. He also hopes people leave wanting to see more films like “Exhibiting Forgiveness.”

“It’s difficult right now to make movies like this. It’s kind of a miracle that we did it. “It shouldn’t be that hard, and one of the ways we can help mitigate that difficulty is by showing up and supporting movies like this when they come out,” he said.

In “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” artworks also play a vital role. You can even say that they are one of the main characters of the film. the pieces are set exhibition at the Gagosian in Beverly Hills until November 2.

“Exhibiting Forgiveness” is now playing in theaters nationwide. It also stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

Click on the video above to watch the full interview.