Watch Fatherless

Fatherless is a 2017 drama film directed by Savanah Leaf and produced by Terrence Nance, focusing on the existential crises that come with fatherlessness. Baron Vaughn stars as Malik, a young man who learns that his estranged father has passed away. Despite the lack of contact, Malik travels to his father's funeral in a small town in Georgia, looking to connect with a man he barely knew.

Upon arrival, Malik discovers that his father was a respected pastor in the community, and that he had several children from different women. Malik gradually delves deeper into his father's life, getting to know his half-siblings and uncovering secrets that his father had taken to the grave. As Malik begins to confront his own feelings of abandonment and rejection, he grapples with the harsh reality of what it means to be fatherless.

The film is an exploration of the many ways in which fatherlessness can manifest itself; from the emotional turmoil felt by those who have lost a father to the complexities of navigating relationships with an absent father. The characters in Fatherless each struggle with their own demons - Kelcey Watson as Malik's half-sister, Debbie, is trapped in an unhappy marriage, and Jay Rosenzweig as Malik's half-brother, Tariq, grapples with his own identity as a gay man in a staunchly religious community.

One of the most striking aspects of Fatherless is its unapologetic portrayal of grief, pain and mental illness. Malik experiences intense emotions throughout the film, from moments of overwhelming sadness to outbursts of anger as he confronts the reality of his father's life. The film makes no attempt to downplay the difficulties that come with fatherlessness, instead offering an honest and often raw depiction of the ways in which it can shape an individual's life.

Fatherless is not a film that attempts to provide easy answers, but rather one that encourages empathy and understanding. By exploring the complex web of relationships that exist within the community, the film highlights the ways in which fatherlessness can have far-reaching effects beyond just the individual who experienced it. The characters in Fatherless are all hurting in different ways, and yet they are united by their shared experiences of abandonment and disconnection.

With its evocative score, stunning cinematography and compelling performances, Fatherless is a powerful and poignant film that speaks to the universal human experience of pain, loss and ultimately, redemption. It is a film that is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced the unique emotional hurdles that come with fatherlessness, and it stands as a powerful reminder that despite our differences, we are all connected by the universal human experience of love and loss.