Brother

Brothers Francis and Michael grow up with their mother in 1990s Toronto. Their father has left, and in his absence older brother Francis takes the role of the man of the house, and as Michael’s protector and mentor. The responsibility that rests on Francis’ shoulders turns him into a complex, enigmatic and often remote figure.

Brother follows the brothers as kids and as teenagers, to an adulthood where the scars from their upbringing remain unhealed. Director Clement Virgo delicately weaves the three timelines together and forms a portrayal of two young men struggling to navigate life via the masculine tropes they are forced to inhabit. However, Virgo seeks to peel away the facade, and show the vulnerability suppressed beneath. Brother is a deeply moving drama featuring terrific performances across the board – especially Aaron Pierre as Francis, whose shadow looms over the entire film.