Skip to main content
Brother film image, director Clement Virgo, based on the novel by David Chariandy

Brother

This event has passed

Clement Virgo (The Book of Negroes) makes a brilliant return to feature filmmaking with this propulsive adaptation of David Chariandy’s celebrated novel. Set against the backdrop of suburban Scarborough, Brother follows siblings Michael (Lamar Johnson) and Francis (Aaron Pierre) as they strive to justify the sacrifices of their devoting mother (Marsha Stephanie Blake) and realise their own ambitions: for Francis, that’s a career in hip-hop; for Michael, it’s the love of Aisha (Kiana Madeira). However, fates has other plans for this pair and all those they hold dear.

While maintaining the precision of Chariandy’s prose, Virgo’s film is a wholly cinematic and remarkably sensorial work. Skipping between past and present to explore masculinity, race, and family, Virgo’s direction is elegant in its handling of evolving character dynamics and authoritative in ensuring that instances of brutality possess harrowing verisimilitude. While detailing the devastating repercussions of senseless acts of violence, Brother also distinguishes itself with its powerful depictions of the healing process.

 

Q&A Oct 1

 

Media Partner

Director
Cast

Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Kiana Madeira, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Lovell Adams-Gray, Maurice Dean Wint

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2022

Language

English

Links
Content Warning

Racial Discrimination, Coarse Language, Sexually Suggestive Scenes

14A

Open to youth at Vancouver Playhouse

19+

At The Rio

119 min
Drama

Book Tickets

This event has passed.

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

Giant

Dir. George Stevens
198 min

This was the Yellowstone of its time: a big, sweeping modern Western built around an imposing ranch and family dynamics -- except Giant is much more subversive. James Dean strikes it rich as Jett Rink, much to the disgust of his former boss, Rock Hudson.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Familiar Touch

Dir. Sarah Friedland
90 min

A loving portrait of an octogenarian transitioning into an assisted living facility, this award-winning first feature by choreographer Sarah Friedland has a simplicity and warmth that's exceptionally poignant.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Super Happy Forever

Dir. Kohei Igarashi
94 min

This beguiling film depicts a man’s return to the Japanese seaside town where he met his now-deceased wife five years earlier. He tries to relive the past, and in the film's final section -- a flashback to 2018 -- the audience is afforded that privilege.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

A Streetcar Named Desire

Dir. Elia Kazan
122 min

"I don't want realism. I want magic!" declares Blanche du Bois, the tragic heroine who meets her nemesis in her sister's husband, Stanley Kowalski, in Tennessee Williams' great play. Brando's performance as Stanley is a turning point in American acting.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Georgia O'Keeffe: the Brightness of Light
Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light film image; painted reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows that combine to look like a flower

Georgia O'Keeffe: the Brightness of Light

Dir. Paul Wagner
118 min

Drawing on her copious correspondence and the world's leading scholars, this is a definitive documentary on the life and work of "the mother of American Modernism."

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

While You Weren't Looking

Dir. Catherine Stewart
72 min

The changing landscape of South African politics and lifestyles is portrayed through a trio of artfully counter-pointed relationships.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Credits

Executive Producer

Aaron L. Gilbert, Steven Thibault, Laurie May, Noah Segal

Producer

Damon D’Oliveira, Aeschylus Poulos, Sonya Di Rienzo, Clement Virgo

Screenwriter

Clement Virgo

Cinematography

Guy Godfree

Editor

Kye Meechan

Production Design

Jason Clarke

Original Music

Todor Kobakov

Director

Clement Virgo headshot, Brother director

Clement Virgo

Clement Virgo is one of Canada’s foremost film directors. His first feature film, Rude (1995), premiered at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, and was included at the 2019 Locarno Film Festival’s Black Light Retrospective of significant 20th century Black cinema. Virgo’s other features include Lie With Me (2005) and Poor Boy’s Game (2007).

Known for his unique POV as a Black filmmaker, he has brought his cinematic approach to TV dramas including The Wire, Monster, and Billions. Virgo’s adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s The Book Of Negroes was nominated for two Critics Choice Awards and a Peabody Award.

Filmography: Rude (1995); Love Come Down (2000); Lie With Me (2005); Poor Boy’s Game (2007)