“I don’t want to be here anymore,” Tarrell tells his wife Aisha in an exclusive clip from Exhibiting Forgiveness.
The film stars Moonlight’s André Holland as Tarrell, an admired painter whose path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (played by John Earl Jelks), who is trying to reconcile.
In the video, Tarrell and his family are outside a hotel sitting in a car when he opens up about his mother still loving his father. Tarrell also hints at having childhood trauma.
“How am I supposed to paint a sunny day, if I don’t ever remember seeing one?”, an emotional Tarrell asks.
Related: ‘Nickel Boys’ Movie to Receive Multiple Honors From African American Film Critics
According to the official description, Tarrell is desperate to protect his wife Aisha (actress and R&B singer Andra Day) and son from the anguish of his childhood, but Tarrell’s spiritual mother (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) hopes he can open his heart to forgiving La’Ron, giving them all another chance at being a family.
In the end, father and son must learn that forgetting the past is as challenging as forgiving.
The family drama is helmed by 2018 MacArthur Award winner and visual artist Titus Kaphar. The film, which is also produced by Kaphar, marks his directorial debut.
Other producers of the project include Stephanie Allain, Derek Cianfrance, Jamie Patricof, and Sean Cotton.
Exhibiting Forgiveness was released on digital and on-demand platforms from Lionsgate on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Below is the exclusive clip: