Exclusive: André Holland, John Earl Jelks, Andra Day, & director Titus Kaphar talk Exhibiting Forgiveness
Hitting theaters on Oct. 18 is the drama Exhibiting Forgiveness, the lauded directorial debut by renowned artist Titus Kaphar starring Spirit Award Winner and SAG Nominee André Holland, Tony Award Nominee John Earl Jelks, Oscar nominee Andra Day and Oscar Nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
Tarrell Rodin (Holland) is an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer-songwriter Aisha (Day), and young son, Jermaine. His artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (Jelks), a recovering addict desperate to reconcile.
La’Ron visits at the invitation of Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Ellis-Taylor) a pious woman with a profound and joyful spirituality. She hopes that Tarrell can open his heart to forgiveness, giving them all another chance at being a family. Tarrell and La’Ron learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving in this raw and deeply moving film.
The film was produced by Stephanie Allain (Hustle & Flow, Dear White People), Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines), Jamie Patricof (Blue Valentine, Half Nelson) and Sean Cotton.
Holland was recently seen in Apple’s limited series THE BIG CIGAR, which chronicles the manhunt for Huey P. Newton, the founder of the Black Panther Party. He will also soon be seen starring in Duke Johnson’s live action debut THE ACTOR opposite Gemma Chan.
GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter, activist, and Oscar nominated actress Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) recently reunited with Lee Daniels on the Netflix film The Deliverance, opposite Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Mo’Nique.
Long known for his work in the theater, John Earl Jelks returning for his second season on NBC’s CHICAGO MED. He has recurred on NEW AMSTERDAM and EAST YORK, as well as Showtime's ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, Netflix's I-LAND, and Max’s LOVE LIFE.
Kaphar’s paintings are multilayered, sometimes sculptural, through his manipulations: slashes, erasures, and swipes of paint aim to reflect the ways in which certain histories are obscured, lost, or waiting to be revealed.
Blackfilmandtv.com's Wilson Morales talks to André Holland, John Earl Jelks, Andra Day, and writer-director Titus Kaphar about Exhibiting Forgiveness