Short on Shorts: Sins of a Father
Powerful short film Sins of a Father places father and son in the tension of a therapy session to unpack the complicated dynamics of their relationship. Written, directed and produced by Nuekellar Hardy, the film depicts son Bryan as he confronts his father about his harsh upbringing. While recounting the past sins of his father, Bryan grapples with his own misdeeds in an attempt to set a path for his own healing.
Starring Tongayi Chirisa as son Bryan and Jimmy Jean-Louis as Mr. Godwin the father, the need to break the chains of generational trauma and reshape the expectations of traditional Black manhood plays out in tense display. All of this in the hope for these individuals, this family to heal and create a better future.
On his inspiration for the film, Nuekellar Hardy says, “I wondered, if given the chance, what I would say to my dad about my childhood? But before I could find the words, he passed away. This story is my attempt to process a missed opportunity and encourage others to have difficult conversations before it’s too late.”
Delving into societal stereotypes through a complex father and son relationship, Sins of a Father aims to destigmatize therapy. “Through this story, I am working to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community as well as advocate for the importance of seeking therapy and fostering open dialogue,” says Hardy.
Sins of a Father is showing at the 20th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival. See the HollyShorts schedule for details.
