Andre Holland
#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
#SPOTTED: ANDRÉ HOLLAND IN TORONTO FILMING “THE BIG CIGAR”
We loved him so much in Academy Award-winning Best Picture MOONLIGHT and have been waiting ever since for him to come back! Andre Holland finally returns to Toronto and currently is working on Apple TV+ Series THE BIG CIGAR, directed by Don Cheadle.
Holland gained widespread accolades for his performances as the grown-up Kevin Jones in MOONLIGHT, Andrew Young in Ava DuVernay‘s SELMA, Rebecca Hall‘s PASSING and also starred in American Horror Story: ROANOKE as Matt Miller. All the while, he has been busy at work on-stage on and off Broadway. And now this deserved starring role as Huey P. Newton in the Biographical Series about the Black Panther Party’s leader and his attempt to escape to Cuba.
So happy I finally got to meet him Holland who was out and about for a stroll. MOONLIGHT is definitely one of my favourite Films of the last ten years, so this means a lot to me.
See our Snap:
THE BIG CIGAR wraps later this Summer.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE EDDY”
THE EDDY is a collaboration between Damien Chazelle (La La Land, Whiplash), Jack Thorne (National Treasure) and Glen Ballard (Alanis Morrissette, Madonna). See the new Trailer!
Synopsis:
Set in the vibrant multicultural neighborhoods of modern-day Paris, THE EDDY tells the story of the owner of a struggling club, its house band and the dangers they face from the chaotic city that surrounds them.Interspersed with dynamic and uplifting performances, THE EDDY conveys the power of music to heal, unite and turn chaos into beauty.
The limited series stars André Holland, Joanna Kulig alongside Amandla Stenberg, Taham Rahim and Leïla Bekhti.
See the Trailer:
THE EDDY streams on Netflix Friday, May 8, 2020. Soundtrack available via Artista Records the same day.
(Photo/video credit: Netflix)
#SXSW: 2019 SXSW FESTIVAL DAY THREE RECAP
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
We are on Day Three of the SXSW Festival and the majority of our day was spent walking around some pretty great installations.
The first one we attended was a fan art installation for Jordan Peele‘s Us. The moment you walk in, you’re faced with the costumes the Actors wore and the soon to be iconic scissors they use. You are then given a card that gets you one free download for the Soundtrack of the Film. They also treat guests to two drinks as they walk around the Exhibit. The Art is stunning to look and even more amazing considering it is Fan Art based on its Trailer alone.
Then we headed to Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens exhibit, taking place over an entire outdoor parking lot, and had quite the queue to get in. Once inside, you are given a free umbrella and tote bag that displays the Show’s title. As you walk around, Top 40 music is blared from Drake, Ariana Grande, Cardi B as you are treated to free chicken and pork, drinks, beers and wines. There is an area for people to get their hair and nails done, once again for complimentary, and a huge floor chess board for people to use. However, one of the greatest parts for us was getting to see the adorable puppies they had for guests to pet and swoon over! It is hands down one of the best times I’ve experienced so far this SXSW. It’s also certainly put the new show Good Omens, starring David Tennant and Martin Sheen, on our must-see list with all its hype. Check out the Trailer if you don’t believe us!
When it came to the evening, the Premieres started down at the Stateside and Paramount Theatres. The first of the evening was Netflix‘s The Highwaymen, starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner. Word has it that Willie Nelson and Matthew McConaughey came to the Premiere also.
Next was Adopt A Highway, it’s a Blumhouse Production and stars Ethan Hawke, Betty Gabriel and more. While fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of Hawke from outside the theatre, they were surprised by two actors who were waiting to go in. Both André Holland (Moonlight) and Sterling K. Brown (This is Us) were outside Stateside Theatre talking on the sidewalk. When fans noticed it was them, they formed a crowd circling around them. Both were very patient and took Selfies with any fans who asked.
The final Premiere of the night was Booksmart, which is the directorial debut for Olivia Wilde. Nearly everyone in the Cast was on-stage for the affair. When they arrived at the Red Carpet, many were friendly with the fans, but none more so than Wilde and her partner, Jason Sudeikis who stars in the Film too. Both came over immediately from exiting their vehicle and took time with fans. It was an extra special night for Wilde as she was celebrating her birthday. When she came on-stage to intro the Film, the SXSW team surprised her with a cake and the entire audience serenaded her with Happy Birthday. When the Film was over, the audience gave a standing audience with loud cheers. It’s true, Wilde‘s first Feature is a beautiful and near-perfect coming-of-age story. Review here.
There are no signs of SXSW slowing down as there are even more Red Carpet Premieres are taking place tomorrow. There will also be some Panels consisting of Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Aidy Bryant and Elizabeth Banks. So stay tuned!
(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)
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