David Chariandy's award-winning novel Brother is ready for its closeup at TIFF 2022
With director Clement Virgo's film adaptation of his acclaimed novel Brother set to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, David Chariandy is in fine spirits.
"I feel very honoured that the novel's been adapted, of course. I'm especially happy that my book was both read and 'seen' by director Clement Virgo, whose work I truly admire," Chariandy told CBC Books.
Set in Scarborough, Ont., in the 1990s, Chariandy's award-winning 2017 novel is a coming-of-age story that follows Francis and Michael, two brothers of Trinidadian origin, as they come up against the prejudices and low expectations that confront them. A mystery unfolds when escalating tensions set off a series of events which changes the course of the brothers' lives forever.
Virgo, one of Canada's leading film directors, is known for his acclaimed feature films — including Rude, Poor Boy's Game and Love Come Down. In 2015 he directed, co-wrote, and executive produced the miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill's award-winning novel The Book of Negroes (which won Canada Reads in 2009).
"I feel a deeply personal connection to David Chariandy's novel, Brother, and the characters who populate that world," Virgo said in a news release in 2021.
Virgo's film stars Canadian actor Lamar Johnson and U.K. actor Aaron Pierre, as well as Kiana Madeira and Marsha Stephanie Blake.
Chariandy noted that he will be seeing the film for the first time when it makes its premiere on Sept. 9.
"I didn't have any formal involvement [in making the film]. Clement did kindly share his script with me before production began on the film, and we've also chatted a couple of times about our respective visions for the story as artists. I've felt very comfortable about letting Clement do the film his own way," said Chariandy.
Born in Scarborough and now based in Vancouver, Chariandy is the author of three books, including Brother, the award-winning 2007 novel Soucouyant and the 2018 nonfiction work I've Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter. He is currently a professor in the department of English at Simon Fraser University, teaching literature and creative writing.
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The list of accolades for Brother have been many: the novel was championed on Canada Reads 2019 by Canadian actor, author and advocate Lisa Ray.
Brother won the 2017 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, the 2018 Toronto Book Award and the 2018 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. It was also longlisted for the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Chariandy noted that his hometown of Scarborough, Ont., is having a moment right now, which is great to see.
"One thing that comes to mind is that a lot of compelling art is coming out of Scarborough these days. I was really moved by Catherine Hernandez's recent film [adaptation of] Scarborough. And writers Adrian De Leon, Téa Mutonji, and Natasha Ramoutar edited an anthology of Scarborough writing that showcases many newer authors," said Chariandy.
While Brother is having its big film moment, Chariandy said he is hard at work on a few writing projects, specifically a new novel.
"I'm writing a novel tentatively entitled Da Costa which is in part about the early 17th century Black interpreter. I'm trying to connect life in the tumultuous early modern world with life during our crises today. It's a harder novel for me to write, since I've always aspired to evoke intimate relations, not 'history' as it is typically understood. But I'm enjoying the challenge."
— with files from CBC Books
