The Toronto Film Festival has programmed one of its strongest Canadian feature slates in recent years — films with head-turning performances, eye-catching artistry, and global market and audience appeal, from filmmakers who are subverting stereotypes, challenging or bypassing power structures, or transforming the industry ecosystem from the grassroots on up.
“Right now in our industry, tons of high-paying service work lets people pay their bills, but the quality work is coming through the Canadian independents,” says Conquering Lions Pictures’ Damon D’Oliveira, who has produced the Canadian work of director Clement Virgo, from his 1995 Cannes-premiering feature “Rude” to the series “The Book of Negroes” to their latest, “Brother.”
The adaptation of David Chariandy’s novel tells the story of two Jamaican Canadian brothers in 1990s Scarborough. “We see this as a bookend to ‘Rude,’ which is set in the same period and is an adrenaline rush,” says D’Oliveira. “We’re returning...
“Right now in our industry, tons of high-paying service work lets people pay their bills, but the quality work is coming through the Canadian independents,” says Conquering Lions Pictures’ Damon D’Oliveira, who has produced the Canadian work of director Clement Virgo, from his 1995 Cannes-premiering feature “Rude” to the series “The Book of Negroes” to their latest, “Brother.”
The adaptation of David Chariandy’s novel tells the story of two Jamaican Canadian brothers in 1990s Scarborough. “We see this as a bookend to ‘Rude,’ which is set in the same period and is an adrenaline rush,” says D’Oliveira. “We’re returning...
- 9/10/2022
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety Film + TV
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At a time when Canadian film is under fire for its lack of diversity, Clement Virgo has always been a step ahead.
Having arrived in Canada from his native Jamaica at age 11, Virgo in 1995 screened his feature directorial debut, Rude, about three characters struggling for inner city redemption in 1990s Toronto, at Cannes and the Toronto Film Festival.
Now, 27 years later, Virgo is back at TIFF with Brother, a mystery drama with three intertwining timelines about Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants who grow up on an embattled Toronto housing complex during a summer of police violence and dashed dreams in 1991.
Based on David Chariandy’s novel Brother, Virgo explores themes of Black masculinity, family, loyalty and love through the eyes of two brothers: Michael, played by Lamar Johnson, and U.K. actor Aaron Pierre in the role of older brother and protector Francis.
At a time when Canadian film is under fire for its lack of diversity, Clement Virgo has always been a step ahead.
Having arrived in Canada from his native Jamaica at age 11, Virgo in 1995 screened his feature directorial debut, Rude, about three characters struggling for inner city redemption in 1990s Toronto, at Cannes and the Toronto Film Festival.
Now, 27 years later, Virgo is back at TIFF with Brother, a mystery drama with three intertwining timelines about Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants who grow up on an embattled Toronto housing complex during a summer of police violence and dashed dreams in 1991.
Based on David Chariandy’s novel Brother, Virgo explores themes of Black masculinity, family, loyalty and love through the eyes of two brothers: Michael, played by Lamar Johnson, and U.K. actor Aaron Pierre in the role of older brother and protector Francis.
- 9/10/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Clement Virgo has signed with WME in advance of the TIFF world premiere of Brother, starring Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre and Marsha Stephanie Black. His debut feature, Rude, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard and opened the Perspectives Canada program at TIFF. His credits includes the boxing drama Poor Boy’s Game, Lie With Me and Love Come Down.
On the TV side, he directed and co-wrote the six part miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s novel The Book of Negroes. The series debuted to record-breaking numbers on the CBC in Canada and on BET in the U.S. and went on to win twelve Canadian Screen Awards and earned two U.S. Critics Choice TV Awards nominations for Best Limited Series and Best Actress in a Limited Series (Aunjanue Ellis). He also directed the pilot of the drama series Greenleaf, and...
On the TV side, he directed and co-wrote the six part miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s novel The Book of Negroes. The series debuted to record-breaking numbers on the CBC in Canada and on BET in the U.S. and went on to win twelve Canadian Screen Awards and earned two U.S. Critics Choice TV Awards nominations for Best Limited Series and Best Actress in a Limited Series (Aunjanue Ellis). He also directed the pilot of the drama series Greenleaf, and...
- 9/6/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival brass unveil Rising Stars, Telefilm Canada Pitch This! finallists, and more.
Mary Harron, Kim Nguyen (both pictured above), Ingrid Veninger, and Denis Côté are among the familiar names in the 26-strong Canadian Features slate that Toronto International Film Festival programmers unveiled on Wednesday.
The selection comprises the highest number of feature directorial debutants and films from Western Canada in recent years. More than 30% of the titles are by first-time feature directors.
Festival brass also announced Short Cuts, Tiff Cinematheque, Rising Stars, Telefilm Canada Pitch This! finallists, and the recipient of the 2017 Len Blum Residency.
The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7-17.
Canadian Features
“It is exciting to see a new wave of Canadian first-time feature directors play with genres and take risks,” Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock said. “This year’s line-up has a truly international feel to it, too, with a number of features shot all over the globe — something that also...
Mary Harron, Kim Nguyen (both pictured above), Ingrid Veninger, and Denis Côté are among the familiar names in the 26-strong Canadian Features slate that Toronto International Film Festival programmers unveiled on Wednesday.
The selection comprises the highest number of feature directorial debutants and films from Western Canada in recent years. More than 30% of the titles are by first-time feature directors.
Festival brass also announced Short Cuts, Tiff Cinematheque, Rising Stars, Telefilm Canada Pitch This! finallists, and the recipient of the 2017 Len Blum Residency.
The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7-17.
Canadian Features
“It is exciting to see a new wave of Canadian first-time feature directors play with genres and take risks,” Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock said. “This year’s line-up has a truly international feel to it, too, with a number of features shot all over the globe — something that also...
- 8/9/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the annual event will pay tribute to its home country with a number of options that span the past, present, and future of Canadian creativity. Per usual, the fest has unveiled a slew of titles that will make up its Canadian feature slate — 26 in all — with an eye towards advancing not only established Canadian filmmakers, but rising stars as well.
This year’s Canadian lineup boasts one of the highest numbers of feature directorial debuts ever, as well as one of the highest numbers of films from Western Canada in recent years. Over 30% of the titles have a first-time feature director, while seven out of nine are Tiff alumni.
Read More:tiff’s Platform Selection: How the Festival’s Buzziest Slate is Pivoting After Launching ‘Moonlight’
“It is exciting to see a new wave of Canadian first-time feature directors play with genres and take risks,...
This year’s Canadian lineup boasts one of the highest numbers of feature directorial debuts ever, as well as one of the highest numbers of films from Western Canada in recent years. Over 30% of the titles have a first-time feature director, while seven out of nine are Tiff alumni.
Read More:tiff’s Platform Selection: How the Festival’s Buzziest Slate is Pivoting After Launching ‘Moonlight’
“It is exciting to see a new wave of Canadian first-time feature directors play with genres and take risks,...
- 8/9/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
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