Grammy and Oscar Award-winning Chicago hip-hop artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith allows the world into his home, as he reconnects with his once homeless father, Brian Tillman in the documentary In My Father’s House. The film premiered at The Music Box, and many friends, fans and family members were there to support this endeavor. Fellow Grammy and Oscar winner, hip-hop artist, actor and fellow Chicago native Common was on hand to introduce the film to the audience and honor Rhymefest.
The directors of the documentary, Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, provided a visual that helped to bring this story to the big screen. Rhymefest purchased his father’s childhood home, whom he had only seen a few times when he was growing up. As a means to reconnect with his father after 20 years, he goes on a search for him and finds that he has fallen on hard times. The film deals with this in its rawest form and follows Rhymefest on a journey to help his father get back on his feet and to also develop a meaningful relationship with him.
The film is transparent, gritty, funny and brutally honest. Brian Tillman, Rhymefest’s father seems reluctant to change his life; however, he agrees and as we watch his transformation he manages to keep the spirit light while dealing with such a serious subject.
This film speaks to the importance of fatherhood, specifically fatherhood in the Black community, honestly. This is definitely one to see. You can see a trailer by clicking the link https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/in-my-fathers-house-2015
In My Father’s House will open October 9th at AMC River East 21 in Chicago
Take a look at some of the pictures from the event in the gallery below.
