Working With André Holland Was on Andra Day’s Bucket List Before Filming ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’

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As a fan who has followed Andra Day’s career from her award-winning music to her captivating acting performances, I must say that her role in “Exhibiting Forgiveness” is nothing short of remarkable. Her portrayal of Aisha, a mother grappling with complex family dynamics, resonates deeply due to her rich life experience and the authenticity she brings to every character she plays.

Following her portrayal of a careless, demon-possessed mother in “The Deliverance”, Andra Day will reappear on screen in a nurturing, maternal role in “Exhibiting Forgiveness”, Titus Kaphar’s directorial debut, scheduled for theatrical release on October 18.

In the movie based on Kaphar’s personal life, Day portrays Aisha, a talented musician married to Tarrell Rodin, a renowned painter and father, played by André Holland. Tarrell must confront his unresolved traumas when his long-absent father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks), a recovering drug addict, suddenly returns. This is prompted by the urging of Rodin’s mother, Joyce (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor).

At the Los Angeles premiere of the movie, which initially screened at Sundance earlier this year, Day discussed with The Hollywood Reporter her extraordinary encounter working alongside Holland.

I’m really yearning for him at this moment; I affectionately refer to him as my ‘bestie’, he’s my closest friend,” I remarked about Holland, who unfortunately couldn’t attend the event. The event took place at The Gagosian gallery, where Kaphar had created the artwork for the movie that was showcased there.

Working alongside him was an unforgettable experience, much like checking off a long-held ambition. I often share that he’s not just a favorite actor for some, but a favorite of other actors as well. He’s the acting equivalent of Jasmine Sullivan, who’s universally admired as the best singer. In reality, he truly is the best actor. Working with him taught me valuable lessons about delivering powerful performances while maintaining subtlety. He’s an absolute genius to collaborate with.

For three months, Holland immersed himself in Kaphar’s Connecticut studio to learn painting techniques, aiming to convincingly present himself as an artist. This fact isn’t shocking to Russell Hornsby, a longtime friend and star of BMF, who was present at the premiere.

André delves deeply into his craft, as Hornsby explained to THR. He’s extremely dedicated, and this dedication shows in the quality of his work. Frequently, we as actors don’t have the chance to explore as profoundly as he does, but André recognizes the significance of having such opportunities. He pushes himself to dig deep, revealing many layers hidden within, thus showcasing his authentic artistic abilities.

Additionally, Day collaborated with composer Jherek Bischoff for six days following the shoot, developing the movie’s score and composing the standout track titled “Bricks.

As a fan, I resonated deeply with Day’s words about the song. It portrays forgiveness as a challenging journey, but one that these characters managed to conquer. What truly moved me was their capacity to build a reality and a future for themselves and their children – something they hadn’t known before. For someone who has faced abuse, creating an atmosphere of peace, joy, and prosperity is nothing short of stunning. This was the inspiration behind the lyrics I wrote.

Kaphar confesses that he didn’t initially have a specific cast in mind for his first movie, primarily because he hadn’t originally intended to make a film. Instead, he crafted a collection of paintings inspired by recollections from his childhood, which he had been jotting down. This later motivated him to dabble in scriptwriting. Kaphar described the process of painting as both therapeutic and healing, stating that directing represented another stage on this personal journey.

He shared with THR that it became clear to him he still had more to accomplish. He believed he had already dealt with his personal issues, but observing André endure the same struggles stirred within him an empathy he hadn’t felt for himself before.

Upon witnessing him endure it, I simply couldn’t hold back my emotions,” Kaphar explained. “I began to cry, and I was sobbing uncontrollably. This is not the usual me who just sits around crying. However, in that instant, I understood that there’s a lot more I need to overcome. There’s much healing still required.

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2024-09-13 19:55