In My Father’s House

In My Father's House

Thanks to Bentonville Film Festival I had the opportunity to watch In My Father’s House, winner of Bentonville Film Festival and NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Documentary. The film follows Grammy award winner Che “Rhymefest” Smith who after purchasing his childhood home in Chicago, embarks on a journey to find his father after 25 years. This film…I cried, cheered and even laughed. As the search for Che’s estranged father began I had feelings of hope mixed with fear of the unknown. Will his father be alive, healthy and receptive to reuniting with his son? Watching Che reconnect with Brian brought on joy, curiosity, empathy and joy all over again. So many questions to be answered, forgiveness to give and hurdles to jump to rebuild a relationship that barely got the proper start every child deserves. In My Father’s House is an important film that touches on fatherhood, addiction, homelessness and forgiveness. Even if you grew up in the ideal home with an amazing father, this film will make you appreciate your upbringing even more.

In My Father's House

Growing up, my reality was much different than Che’s childhood. Like Che, my biological father was not in the picture from shortly after my birth until 14 but I did have an amazing father. A man that happily took the role of being my father at age 2 and still to this day the words step-daughter and step-father have never been used. My father worked incredibly hard, always provided for the family, sold his boats and other possessions so I could enter pageants and travel. He guided me, encouraged me and supported me every step of the way. In my father’s house I never felt abandoned, unloved or alone. Because of the unconditional love of my father, I never questioned why my biological dad wasn’t around or where he was. I do have a relationship with my bio-dad, whom I also love, but I would not change the past if I could. I know that may sound odd but I honestly don’t know who I’d be today if I didn’t have my father in my life.

Che’s story of a fatherless home and journey to reconnect sparked a deeper level of gratitude for the life I’ve had. I’m so much more thankful for my father and aware of the respect he deserves for stepping in to fill the gap that could’ve been a huge part of the lives of my brother and I. You can now pick up In My Father’s House on DVD available at Walmart. I seriously encourage you to watch this film. In My Father’s House sparked so much emotion and thought that I can’t wait to see what is coming next from the Bentonville Film Festival!

In My Father's House

The second annual Bentonville Film Festival will be held May 3-8, 2016 in partnership with founding Sponsor Walmart, presenting Sponsor Coca-Cola and distribution partners AMC Theatres and Lifetime.

Founded by Academy Award Winner® Geena Davis and festival co-founder Trevor Drinkwater in 2015, BFF’s mission is to encourage content creation in film and other forms of media that reflects the diverse — and half female — world we live in.  BFF proactively supports content creation by minorities and women with a platform to showcase their work and, with the help of our partners, is the only film competition in the world to guarantee theatrical, television, digital and retail home entertainment distribution for its winners. The Festival takes place in early May in Bentonville, Arkansas and is research based and commercially driven.

Bentonville Film Festival

This post was sponsored by The Bentonville Film Festival; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me to produce this post.

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8 Comments

  1. February 9, 2016 / 1:55 PM

    I have never heard of this film but I do want to see it now!

  2. February 9, 2016 / 2:03 PM

    This is such a great post! It’s so well written and made me tear up because it’s such a sweet story. I would’ve never known that you Dad was your stepdad by the way you all interact. The movie sounds like a good one and I’ll definitely check it out!

  3. February 9, 2016 / 3:13 PM

    I have never heard of this movie before but I really need to go find it and watch it! It sounds like such an amazing movie!

  4. February 9, 2016 / 4:05 PM

    Your father sounds like an amazing dad. This sounds like a heartwarming movie.

  5. February 9, 2016 / 5:49 PM

    I knowwwww this will be a tear jerker. But I definitely want to see it. Your bonus dad sounds absolutely incredible. Bless him and the men like him!

  6. Rachel Beltz
    February 13, 2016 / 10:38 PM

    This looks like a really emotional film… I may drag my friends into watching it with me 🙂

  7. Katy
    February 15, 2016 / 4:45 PM

    I’m so glad you reviewed this film. I can’t wait to see it. I just love personal documentaries and this one looks outstanding. 🙂

  8. joyce chatman
    February 17, 2016 / 4:21 PM

    This is a great story.There are a lot of emotions when you are on a journey to find your beginning. I love the story of Che as well as yours about the men who are fathers.