Short Film Review: ‘Sins of A Father’ – Breaking Cycles of Generational Trauma.

Fatherhood comes with many challenges, and I believe the biggest of these challenges is breaking the cycles of hurt and generational trauma that are often unintentionally handed down from father to child. It often takes one person to recognize this cycle and make efforts to break it for the good of themselves and the generations that follow.

I believe this is the core of writer and producer Nuekellar Hardy‘s directorial debut, ‘Sins of a Father.’

This short film revolves around Bryan (played by Tongayi Chirisa), who, amidst echoes of his past, embarks on a heartfelt quest to rewrite his future. He confronts his father, Godwin (Jimmy Jean-Louis), to break the chains of generational trauma and carve out his legacy of love and growth.

Set in the confines of a counselling session, the film opens with Bryan and Godwin under the guidance of therapist Dr. Mason (played by Chris Butler). We join the session after a brief pause following a heated exchange between the father and son.

Tongayi Chirisa in Sins of A Father (2024)

Dr. Mason asks if they want to continue from where they left off or move on to something lighter. The tension is palpable, hinting at the unresolved issues, perhaps inflamed by Bryan‘s desire to see and hear his father accept some responsibility for their mother’s death.

Tongayi Chirisa delivers a compelling performance as Bryan, capturing the essence of a man clearly broken and seeking help to be a better man, husband, and father. The range he displays not only conveys his hurt but also his anger and resentment towards his father’s actions. Bryan is deeply affected by his past and blames his father for it. Chirisa’s portrayal is raw and authentic, allowing the audience to empathize with Bryan‘s struggle.

Jimmy Jean-Louis equally matches that with his portrayal of Godwin. He perfectly conveys his disappointment in his son, perhaps for not being “man enough” to shoulder what he believes are his own mistakes. Jean-Louis masterfully shows Godwin’s discomfort with the session and the interaction with his son. His performance adds depth to the character, making him more than just a figure of blame but a complex individual grappling with his shortcomings.

 Nuekellar Hardy‘s writing is another highlight of the film. He provides these characters with lines that convey more than what is said in the dialogue. He paints a perfect picture of the strained relationship between the father and son and helps fill in all the gaps as to how it all came to be. As the film progresses, we learn enough about the two men to understand their situations and relate to how they are handling them. The confrontation between the father and son sets up the narrative arc, allowing the characters to confront their past and, hopefully, move forward.

The film’s technical aspects also deserve praise. The scenes in the session are not accompanied by any music, allowing the audience to hear and almost feel the palpable tension in the room. The sound design interestingly enhances realism, providing the right ambience and atmospheric sounds that seem to immerse the viewer into the setting.

Jimmy Jean-Louis in Sins of A Father (2024)

Also, the cinematography and editing make great use of the film’s setting, Dr. Mason‘s office. The shots capture the perspectives of both the father and the son, adding to the story’s intimacy and immediacy. It also doesn’t make the characters and the story being told feel confined to the space.

‘Sins of a Father‘ recently made its world debut at the Essence Festival and also screened at the 2024 LA Shorts International Film Festival. I believe it is clearly on its way to becoming a festival circuit favourite, particularly for festivals and programmers that focus on films exploring the challenges of parenting, especially fatherhood.

As a new father myself, the film gave me the opportunity to ask myself some very difficult questions. It made me wish I had had specific conversations about fatherhood and being a husband and provider with my dad before he passed.

At just 13 minutes, the film might seem too short for some, but the narrative covers more than enough ground. And even though Hardy‘s narrative does not provide answers to my questions, it encourages self-reflection and some deep thinking. I am certain it will do the same for many who get to see this film. We all might have some trauma, and it is our duty to make sure we break that cycle and not pass it on to the next generation.

I will score ‘Sins of a Father‘ 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a story worthy of a feature-length exploration, and hopefully, this is something the filmmaker is considering.