Scene from Clement Virgo's "Brother". — Photo: Elevation Pictures
by Jenna Benchetrit
Brother, director Clement Virgo's intense portrait of two Jamaican-Canadian siblings growing up in a Toronto suburb during the 1990s, swept the third night of the Canadian Screen Awards (CSAs) after winning 12 of its 14 nominations in the cinematic arts categories.
Among its many laurels were best motion picture, achievement in direction for Virgo, and performance in a leading role for Lamar Johnson, a rising Canadian star who has appeared in The Last of Us and Your Honor.
The film, an adaptation of David Chariandy's eponymous 2017 book, is a meditation on masculinity and family set against the backdrop of Scarborough, Ont.'s fledgling hip-hop scene. Brother had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Its theatrical run began on March 17.
Its other CSA wins include performance in a supporting role for British actor Aaron Pierre, adapted screenplay, and awards for achievement in casting, sound mixing, sound editing, original score, art direction, hair and costume design.