Film by 'genius grant' winner dives into the emotional journeys of Black fathers and sons

“Exhibiting Forgiveness,” a new semi-autobiographical film by acclaimed artist Titus Kaphar, starring actor André Holland, is about figuring out how to heal from intergenerational trauma.

Figuring out how to heal from intergenerational trauma is at the center of “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” a new semi-autobiographical film by acclaimed artist Titus Kaphar, starring actor André Holland. 

Tarrell is a successful artist modeled after Kaphar who, despite having a loving wife, Aisha (played by Oscar nominee Andra Day), and doting son, Jermaine (Daniel Michael Barriere), still suffers from the childhood trauma he endured through his drug-addicted father, La’Ron. Tarrell falls into an emotional tailspin after his mother, Joyce (Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), whom he adores, urges him to speak with and forgive La’Ron.

“It was clear to me, it was a super personal story, which is always a good sign,” Holland told NBC News about first reading the script.

Kaphar, a 2018 MacArthur “genius grant” fellow, explained that while he was visiting his home state of Michigan with his wife and two sons, he had an unanticipated encounter with his father. Pushed by his grandmother, Kaphar found himself face-to-face with his father in a basement, probing him while filming his responses.

“I showed up, turned on the camera, and started asking him the hardest questions I could possibly ask him, thinking that it would stop the conversation, and it didn’t,” Kaphar said. The interaction sparked “this weird internal struggle,” he said. “Part of me didn’t want to be there at all, and part of me just was enthralled by understanding the history a little bit better. So I was just going through this struggle.” That moment is one of several powerful exchanges in the film. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/exhibiting-forgiveness-titus-kaphar-rcna176596

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