Unearthed (2007)

Clement Virgo’s feature Brother asks audiences to consider, who do you need in your life to make it whole? The emotionally gripping adaptation of David Chariandy’s novel deconstructs ideas of safety and fear in 1990s Scarborough. Two brothers, Michael and Francis (played by Lamar Johnson and Aaron Pierre), navigate coming of age in an environment that emphasizes the dichotomy between self-preservation and togetherness. The boys and their working single mother Ruth (Marsha Stephanie Blake) have a complicated relationship with their neighbourhood. Their community connects them to people who embrace and understand them, like Aisha (Kiana Madeira) but it can also act as a combat zone. Older brother Francis is forced to don an immovable, protective persona knowing that gentle Michael doesn’t possess those same qualities. Francis’ stoicism may be interpreted as fearlessness at first, but it is soon made clear by Pierre’s nuanced performance that his character is not impervious to pain. In his father’s absence, he is thrust into a head of the household role, and soon he leans on his chosen family to finally prioritize his own fulfillment. Vigro delves into the rift that is created within an interdependent family when one member steps away, or is lost.