#SUNDANCE: “EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Titus Kaphar’s feature debut is a powerful look at breaking the cycle of generational trauma, the healing power of art, and an examination of what forgiveness means.

Established Artist Tarrell (André Holland) uses his paintings to find freedom from his past. A past that included trauma inflicted by his drug-addicted father La’Ron (John Earl Jelks) onto his mother Joyce (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) and him. Now, 15 years have passed since Tarrell has seen his father when La’Ron unexpectedly shows up looking to reconcile.

Exhibiting Forgiveness is a stirring drama with profound lessons. Kaphar’s impressive first Feature, tells an intimate story of one family with complexity. He effortlessly tells the story of destructive parenting, trauma, and reconciliation all through an artist’s use of painting to work through his traumatic childhood. Cinema has shown what forgiveness looks like through the decades, but none have depicted it as authentically as Kaphar.

The Filmmaker has garnered an ensemble that displays a masterclass in acting. Golden Globe winner Andra Day, Ellis-Taylor, and Earl Jelks give masterful performances. They’re led by the formidable Holland in an emotive, haunting performance that will go down as one of his finest. Exhibiting Forgiveness is one of the best at this year’s fest.

Exhibiting Forgiveness is in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at this year’s Festival.

Exhibiting Forgiveness screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 20 at 3:00 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 21 at 5:30 PM at Redstone Cinema – 1

Jan 23 at 9:15 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Jan 26 at 10:00 PM at Egyptian Theatre

Online — Jan 25 – Jan 28