'Exhibiting Forgiveness' Exclusive Interview: Andra Day

Moviefone speaks with Andra Day about 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'. "I wanted to be a part of this project because of (director) Titus Kaphar," she said.

Andra Day stars in 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'.

Opening in theaters on October 18th is the new family drama ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’, which marks the directorial debut of painter and artist Titus Kaphar. The film stars André Holland (‘Moonlight’), Andra Day (‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’), John Earl Jelks (‘Miracle at St. Anna’), and Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis- Taylor (‘King Richard’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Andra Day about her work on 'Exhibiting Forgiveness', her first reaction the screenplay, why she wanted to be part of the project, working with first time filmmaker Titus Kaphar, and how her character supports her husband through his emotional journey.

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(L to R) André Holland and Andra Day in 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'. Photo: Roadside Attractions.

Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction the screenplay and why you personally wanted to be a part of this project?

Andra Day: I mean, my first reaction was that I knew this was going to be a beautiful story. Before even going into details with him, I could tell by reading it, that it was a personal story. You know what I mean? I think you always want to be very careful with subject matter. I wanted to be a part of this project because of Titus Kaphar. I was a huge fan of his painting. So, I remember he was like, "Oh, I can't believe you agreed to do this." I was like, "If you would've cast me as the janitor for seven seconds, I would have agreed to do this movie." I knew I wanted to be a part of this project, just because the story is so important. I think it doesn't necessarily even have to be your family dynamic for you to relate to it. The beauty of it, the way he was going to paint and tell this story, I just thought, "This seems groundbreaking and beautiful, and I want to be a part of that." The cast that he put with this was unbelievable. So, everything was a factor for me, for sure.

'Exhibiting Forgiveness' writer and director Titus Kaphar.

MF: What was it like working with artist Titus Kaphar on his directorial debut and watching him execute his vision for this film on set?

AD: I think Titus was finding his way through the space, maybe the first two or three days. By the second week, he was in the space. By the second week, he had learned the process and he landed on it very quickly. He also learned in ways where he would take more time, certain things that he needed to get done. So, he settled into it. I watched him settle into the role of director very quickly. You know what I mean? But I think what it was like was like watching a visionary. When people go, "Oh, it's your first time directing." I'm like, "It's his directorial debut. It is not his first time directing in life." So, when it comes to his artwork, when it comes to the content that he puts out, when it comes to how he puts out the art, the schools that he puts together, anytime he does that, he's directing things. So, I think that this is just his first foray into traditional film. But he's a visionary. I think people like him, if they are passionate about what they're doing, if they care about what they're doing, it will always be great. Because if you have the vision, I think everything else falls into place.

(L to R) André Holland and Andra Day in 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'. Photo: Roadside Attractions.

MF: Finally, can you talk about Aisha and Tarrell’s relationship and how she supports her husband through his journey to overcome his past?

AD: It's very interesting. I think Aisha loves her husband and I think that she also comes from a family of trauma. I don't think this is unfamiliar to her. I think we decided that was also her life and that her and Tarrell have decided together to have a peaceful environment for their son. So, I think they are healing together, which I think you can do with love. But I think there's also parts of trauma that do not involve a partner and that deal with forgiveness of the person that you need forgiveness from, or you need to forgive. So, I think that she supports him in a very interesting way. She supports him by trying to encourage him to reconcile and to heal. She supports him, also, by protecting him because she sees how this affects him. But I think she also supports him by standing her ground in her own life and making sure they keep the promises they made to each other. Those promises weren't just, "Hey, I'll be a great mother to our child, and you'll be a great father to our child. We'll be a great husband and wife." I will give you the space and support you in your career in painting and in the art world, but you must give me the space and support me in my career in the music world. So, I think that she also supports him and helps him through this process by being an anchor point and keeping them adhering to the promises that they made to each other. Which can be very uncomfortable and can be contentious at times but is necessary.

What is the plot of 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'?

Utilizing his paintings to find freedom from his past, a Black artist (André Holland) on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father (John Earl Jelks), a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.