London- and Paris-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation has boarded international sales on Titus Kaphar’s drama “Exhibiting Forgiveness.”
The film received strong reviews after its January premiere at Sundance in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section, and was picked up for North American distribution by Roadside Attractions, with plans for a wide theatrical release in the fall and awards campaign.
Film Constellation will screen the film for buyers in Cannes.
In the film, an artist finds his path to success derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a troubled man desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting may be harder than forgiving.
The directorial debut of visual artist Kaphar, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” stars André Holland (“Moonlight,” “Passing”), Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holliday,” Lee Daniels’ upcoming “The Deliverance”), John Earl Jelks (“Night Comes On,” “True Detective”) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“Origin,” “The Color Purple”).
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman gave the film a positive review, describing it as “a forceful drama free of feel-good fakery” and praising Holland’s performance as “fierce, haunted and alive.”
The film features cinematography by Lachlan Milne (“Minari,” “The Inspection”), editing by Ron Patane (“A Most Violent Year,” “Triple Frontier”) and music by Jherek Bischoff.
Fabien Westheroff of Film Constellation said: “Art as therapy is an old adage, but it takes on a new meaning here as Titus Kaphar expertly untangles the knots of his characters’ troubled past to deliver one of the finest explorations of generational trauma we’ve seen on film, and the paths we take to heal.”
A Hunting Lane Films, Homegrown Pictures, Shade Pictures and Revolution Ready production, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” was produced by Stephanie Allain (“Dear White People”), Derek Cianfrance (“Sound of Metal”), Jamie Patricof (“Blue Valentine,” “Captain Fantastic”), Sean Cotton and Kaphar, with Claire Brooks (“Forgive Us Our Trespasses”), Stephanie Blackwood and Kim Coleman (“Nanny”) serving as executive producers, and Rachel Halilej (“Madu”), Natalie Renee (“Shut Up and Paint”) and Michael VQ as co-producers.
Winner of the 2018 McArthur Genius Award, Kaphar’s work across painting, sculpture, filmmaking and installation art examines the history of representation and is held in some of the most prestigious public institutions worldwide including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum of American Art. His 2022 documentary short, “Shut Up and Paint,” was shortlisted by the Academy Awards for best short documentary.
“Exhibiting Forgiveness” adds to a buzzy Cannes slate for Film Constellation, featuring the comedy drama “Eephus” by Carson Lund (Directors’ Fortnight) and revenge feature “Animale” by Emma Benestan (Critics’ Week Closing Film).
Film Constellation will also organize the world market premiere of sci-fi romantic comedy “Turn Me On” by Michael Tyburski (“The Sound of Silence”), and will continue its pre-sales on upcoming period adventure “The Captive” by Oscar-winning director Alejandro Amenábar.