André Holland Reflects on the ‘Profound Impact’ of Selma 10 Years Later

Sometimes a film production just captures lightning in a bottle, with everyone operating at their highest levels. It’s the 10th anniversary of Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-winning movie Selma, which certainly feels like one of those films. We spoke with André Holland recently about his role as a tortured painter in the newly released movie, Exhibiting Forgiveness. It’s a groundbreaking achievement from writer-director Titus Kaphar, who is also an internationally recognized painter himself, and Holland is no stranger to groundbreaking films.

“I don’t think I knew then how monumental… it would be. What I knew is that it was an important story,” Holland told MovieWeb. “I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and so, the Civil Rights Movement and that history was all around me, all the time. Andrew Young [who I portray] is someone who my mother actually didn’t work directly for but worked, like, in connection with when she was a young woman in the movement. And so it felt super important to me to be a part of it.”

Holland continued, reflecting on the film’s lasting impact on his Hollywood career:

“After having done that film, so many things came from it, like my continued relationship and collaboration with Ava DuVernay, who’s an incredible force, you know? Common and I have remained friends… We had such a wonderful group, and we’ve all stayed connected and continue to support one another. And so the movie had, like, such a profound impact — but even more than that, maybe, the people in the movie were able to help each other and continue to support each other along the way.”

Exhibiting Forgiveness Cast: ‘Stacked Killers’

A decade later, Holland continues to be a tour de force, leading several excellent series (such as Steven Soderbergh’s masterpiece The Knick and the excellent recent series, The Big Cigar) and movies like Moonlight, High Flying Bird, and more. He now leads the just-released Exhibiting Forgiveness, from writer-director Titus Kaphar.

“When we read it, it was really clear that this was a relationship that was very personal to Titus, one that had been very thought through and considered,” Holland told us. “So our job was largely just to bring our hearts to it, you know, and to be honest about what we were doing. And then getting to work with such wonderful actors as John [Earl Jelks] and [Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor], I mean, our cast is like stacked killers.”

Related: Exhibiting Forgiveness Review: A Stunning Portrait of Pain & Healing

And playing Holland’s wife in his new film is renowned singer and Golden Globe-winning actress Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday). “She’s extraordinary at everything that she does. I mean, it’s kind of unfair that she could be such a wonderful singer and a wonderful actor… and an even better person,” said Holland with a smile. He continued:

“One of the things about her is that she’s, you know, so supportive of everybody in a way that like — I mean, I’m talking about… even when she’s not in the scene, she’s in the background, like, rooting for you… She’s a really, really remarkable person and so, so talented. So, working with her was a dream.”

From Roadside Attractions, Exhibiting Forgiveness is now playing in theaters.