Exhibiting Forgiveness -Sundance Review

Some things can’t be worked out on canvas.

Exhibiting Forgiveness premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. When his father returns asking for forgiveness, Tarrell refuses. His family begs him to take a chance, but the trauma from the past is too much to handle. Instead, he retreats to his studio to paint his wounds.

Whether in-person or virtual, the Sundance Film Festival is an effective presentation. My heart felt heavy after watching Exhibiting Forgiveness. The film is just the beginning of several conversations about healing and the act of forgiveness. In this deep film, Exhibiting Forgiveness demonstrates how art is a tool to heal.

All involved in this film emulated authentic emotions and relationships. There are several well-acted scenes. The cast does an excellent job analyzing every inch of this script. They weighed in on their own experiences. The cast remarked they had to take a break from one emotional scene.

Andre Holland set forth turbulent emotions as Tarrell. Tarrell’s trauma is so terrible that he awakes fighting with invisible entities. He is a gifted artist. However, he doesn’t know how he should think of himself. Art helps him escape from the pain. Holland is magnificent in the role, dictating uneasy sequences.

John Earl Jelks achieves an engrossing monologue about guilt. He chose to play this role as human and not stereotype anyone. Due to his addiction, La’Ron has caused several strains in his relationships, particularly with Tarrell. In his recovery period, La’Ron won’t leave Tarrell alone until the past is mended. In some cases, relationships don’t heal.

Andre Day and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor are two incredible actresses. I am so happy that they shared the screen. Day plays Tarrell’s wife, Aisha. She sticks by her husband’s side and is endlessly supportive. Day also wrote a song for the film about forgiveness. I hope this film opens the door to more work because Day is one splendid actress.

I love the way Ellis-Taylor played her role. She has undergone traumas with La’Ron but finds the will to forgive him. And she still loves him. That is an impactful line.

The artwork is quite a statement in this film. Artists, this a movie for you. The creations are beyond the definition of tremendous. Tarrell’s paintings encapsulate trauma through shadowing, vulnerability, and emotions. Art has a way with words. Art is a tool to heal.

In his directorial debut, the standing ovation that Titus Kaphur received was well-deserved. He reached for authenticity. Kaphur made it as a way to cover loud memories in a fictional way. What’s best is that he made the set a safe place for everyone.

So many moments are delivered perfectly because of the use of space. Kaphur had pure serendipity, such as the empty pool used for one scene. In another, a painting of the past rolls in The direction, editing, and cinematography are excellent. The soundtrack is deep, but the film knows when to be quiet.

What is forgiveness? Forgiveness brings a lot of baggage. We forgive in different ways. One true thing is that we need to sit down and face issues with people or the past. From my own experience, it’s hard to forget. We’re never going to forgive ourselves. If Tarrell’s erratic behavior says anything, the past keeps us from enjoying life.

Exhibiting Forgiveness made me heart ache, but this film exemplifies why we create stories. It’s not an easy film to sit through and it has heavy themes. For anyone who is lost, this is the movie you need to see. Once it’s available, watch this film.