Lamar Johnson
#SPOTTED: SCARBOROUGH PREMIERE OF CLEMENT VIRGO’S “BROTHER” WITH LAMAR JOHNSON, KIANA MADEIRA AND CLEMENT VIRGO
A Red Carpet Premiere in Scarborough? Is ths for real? Cineplex Scarborough Town Centre hosted a special screening of Clement Virgo’s BROTHER, adapted from David Chariandy’s Novel of the same name. Like its source material this film version has gone on to win huge accolades after its TIFF ’22 Premiere, and if this weren’t enough it has garnered 14 Canadian Screen Award nominations, plus being named a finalist for Rogers’ Best Canadian Feature Award at the upoming Toronto Film Critics Association Awards.
The stars are all aligned yes, they even showed up alongside Director/Writer Virgo at the screening attended by select Media, plus friends and family. Lamar Johnson stars as Michael, a young man growing-up amidist the rise of gang violence in Scarborough in the ’90s. We meet his protective brother Francis (Aaron Pierre) whom at a young age, struggles with the ideals of masculinity, being handed the responsibilties of being a proxy caregiver while their mother works overnight shifts, and also his own standing in the neighbourhood and peers. Rad Simonpillai moderated a Q&A following the Movie, commenting on the importance of audiences seeing this Scarborough-set story.
See a reel of highlights from the night here:
The screening was followed by an afterparty at the Scarborough Civic Centre Library, attended by the likes of special guests Catherine Hernandez (Author of “Scarborough“) and Director X!
Elevation Pictures release BROTHER March 17, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF22: “BROTHER”
By Mr. Will Wong
Based on David Charlandy‘s acclaimed Novel of the same name, Clement Virgo‘s BROTHER takes us back to the ’90s in Scarborough. We meet two brothers, raised by their single mother (Marsha Stephanie Blake), and despite her best efforts to shield them, ultimately they are unable to avoid becoming a product of the violence abound, whether it be in the news or the gangs who fight for territory in their economically-depressed neighbourhood.
A mild-mannered Michael (Lamar Johnson) looks-up to his older brother Francis (Aaron Pierre), who acts as a big brother and father figure in the absence of their dad. And told in a non-linear manner, we see tragedy unfold as they and we continue to live in a time today where the value of a black life still is at the forefront of discussion.
Virgo, sans melodrama, captures a fly-on-the-wall feel with stunning Cinematography by Guy Godfree that evokes a darkness that casts a shadow over the hope of youth and coming-of-age for these young men. A beautiful, heartbreaking piece that at once looks at the strength of one family’s love in a dire place and time.
BROTHER screens at TIFF ’22 as follows:
Fri, Sep 09 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 6:30pm
Fri, Sep 16IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 6:00pm
#FIRSTLOOK: “BROTHER” TO PREMIERE AT TIFF ’22
Filmed right here in Toronto, Clement Virgo‘s BROTHER will get a huge debut home at TIFF ’22! Based on David Chariandy’s prize-winning novel of the same name, Virgo adapted the Novel for the screen.
Synopsis:
Brother is the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants maturing into young men amidst Toronto’s pulsing 1990’s hip-hop scene. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events which changes the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Brother stars Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (Underground Railroad), Kiana Madeira (Fear Street) and Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us). The film is produced by recently announced member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Damon D’Oliveira, as well as Virgo, of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures. Executive producers are Aaron L. Gilbert and Steven Thibault of BRON and Laurie May and Noah Segal of Elevation Pictures.The film will be distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures and BRON Releasing will manage the sale in other territories.
(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)
#TIFF18: DAY TWO – JULIA ROBERTS, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, ARMIE HAMMER, STEVE CARELL, ISSA RAE + SEVERAL MORE STARS SPOTTED
By Mr. Will Wong
Day two of TIFF ’18 has gone exceedingly-well and we’re happy to deliver you some of that starpower we witnessed around the City! While stars of breakout hit CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, Armie Hammer and TimothĂ©e Chalamet, were busy promoting their latest projects around town, one thing’s clear – fans still very much are in love with these two actors. Everywhere I went, new faces were asking where they could find Chalamet, walking around proudly displaying their memorabilia from the Film.
While we caught wind of BEAUTIFUL BOY stars Steve Carell and quietly entering and exiting their hotel, followed by a dinner at Sotto Sotto Thursday night, they were out in full force today and we’re thrilled to have snapped them, taking-in that adoration and excitement for the Drama based on a true story and memoirs from a father and son who went through the rigors of addiction and rose above. Fans not only queued hours on the Red Carpets at the Elgin and Roy Thomson Hall to see them, they also waited at the back of the theatre for a chance to see them exit too.
We once again were blessed by Queen Julia Roberts‘ presence this year, promoting not one but two projects – a new Amazon Series titled HOMECOMING and her latest Film, BEN IS BACK which is said to place her in prime contention for an Oscar as a mother who must stop her family from falling into shambles after her son (Lucas Hedges) resurfaces and she realizes he’s still in harm’s way. Fans queued hours to see her at Ryerson Theatre and got exactly what they asked for as she graced the Red Carpet, signing several autographs.
HOMECOMING was developed by Sam Esmail, who happens to be married to SHAMELESS star Emmy Rossum and we got a pleasant surprise spotting her tonight!
We still remember fondly the last time Dev Patel was at TIFF with LION and we loved that Film so much. Excitement is just as high for his two TIFF ’18 Films, HOTEL MUMBAI and THE WEDDING GUEST. We spotted his MUMBAI Co-Stars Armie Hammer and Jason Isaacs out too!
DONNYBROOK premiered at Winter Garden Theatre tonight and stars Frank Grillo, Jamie Bell and up-and-comer Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie McDowell). It centers on two men from very different worlds, competing in a bare-knuckle brawl.
We cannot conceal our excitement for the adaptation of Angie Thomas’ THE HATE U GIVE and we are delighted by chance to have come across a few cast members: Sabrina Carpenter, Issa Rae and Lamar Jones.
Others we spotted around town, including Jude Law at TIFF ’18 for VOX LUX, which saw Natalie Portman arriving a bit late for, plus legend Danny Glover, who is at the Festival with The Old Man & The Gun, plus up-and-comer RJ Cyler (Power Rangers):
We were up and at ’em early and so honoured to appear on Breakfast Television with Winston Sih! In case you missed it, you can watch it again here:
More to come tomorrow!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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