Roadside Attractions Takes André Holland & Andra Day Sundance Pic ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’

Anthony D'Alessandro
·3 min read
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Roadside Attractions has acquired the Titus Kaphar Sundance World Premiere Exhibiting Forgiveness. A fall theatrical release for awards consideration is planned.

The pic, which is 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and repped Kaphar’s feature directorial debut, follows Tarrell Rodin (Independent Spirit Award winner and SAG nominee André Holland), an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer-songwriter Aisha (Oscar nominee Andra 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 (Tony Award nominee John Earl Jelks), a recovering addict desperate to reconcile.

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La’Ron visits at the invitation of Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Oscar nominee Aunjanue 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.

Exhibiting Forgiveness is 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.

“Titus has changed the world with his art, and this film will bring him a legion of new fans and delight the many who already love his work,” commented Roadside Attractions Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. “These are four jaw-dropping performances which we have no doubt is the finest ensemble filmgoers will see this year.”

Kaphar said, “Even the most extraordinary film in the world would remain hidden without the right distribution team; I’m so excited that our film has found its champion.  Roadside has a reputation for bringing us unflinching movie experiences that center innovative and character-driven storytelling. I’m honored to have their support, and proud that Exhibiting Forgiveness will become part of their outstanding portfolio.”

Kaphar received an MFA from the Yale School of Art and is the recipient of a Robert R. Rauschenberg Artist as Activist grant, a Creative Capital Award, an Art for Justice Fund grant, and a MacArthur Fellowship, among others. His painting, “Analagous Colors” was featured on the cover of the June 15, 2020, issue of TIME. His lauded 2017 TED talk clocked 2.8M views. Kaphar’s work is included in the collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI; the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT; the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, amongst others. In 2016, Kaphar completed a series of paintings and a short documentary inspired by his relationship with his father called “The Jerome Project,” which was also an inspiration for Exhibiting Forgiveness. Kaphar’s most recent short documentary, Shut up and Paint was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2022.

A Hunting Lane, Homegrown, Shade Pictures, Revolution Ready Production, Exhibiting Forgiveness was executive produced by Rachel Halilej, Natalie Renee, and Michael VQ as Co-Producers. The deal was negotiated by Roadside Attractions Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.

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