‘Exhibiting Forgiveness:’ The Homegrown Talent of Actor André Holland

By Javacia Harris Bowser | For The Birmingham Times When the film “Exhibiting Forgiveness” opens in theaters on October 18, audiences across the country will have a chance to see a proud Bessemer, Alabama, talent shine. Critically acclaimed actor André Holland considers his role as the lead character his most challenging yet and feels he’s been preparing for the role his whole life, in part, because of where he was born and raised. “Most of what I know about acting, ironically, I learned here [in Bessemer, just outside of Birmingham],” he told The Birmingham Times during a recent visit to the Magic City. “I grew up in a very tight-knit Black community. We spent a lot of time sitting around just listening to old people tell stories. When you really listen, you learn. You start to understand how to tell a story. My ear got tuned to what keeps people interested and engaged.” Bessemer native André Holland stars in “Exhibiting Forgiveness” which opens in theaters on October 18. (Titus Kaphar, Exhibiting Forgiveness) “Exhibiting Forgiveness” follows Tarrell, a Black artist on the path to success whose journey is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict who’s...