Year: 1993
Language: English
Format: 16mm Colour
Runtime: 24 min
Director: Clement Virgo
Producer: Damon D’Oliveira
Writer: Lisa Grootenboer
Cinematographer: Harold Bachman
Editor: Lisa Regnier
Sound: Daniel Hamood
Cast: Dean Marshall, Dayo Ade, Judith Scott, Richard Chevolleau, Allison Hossack, Beverly Murray
Production Company: Canadian Film Centre

Clement Virgo’s immensely accomplished Save My Lost Nigga’ Soul re-imagines the story of Cain and Abel, with Cain as a pathetic drug addict and Abel as his straight-arrow, disapproving brother. Their struggle for supremacy is told through the would-be monologue of their roommate, an aspiring stand-up comic who plans to use them as fodder for his stage debut. Filtered through the manic, rap-wise voice of its protagonist, the film’s dialogue crackles and each frame pulses with energy as crises build to an astonishing, desperate climax.

Save My Lost Nigga’ Soul was named Best Canadian Short Film at the 1993 Festival of Festivals (now the Toronto International Film Festival®) and earned a Genie Award nomination for Best Short Film.

By: Cameron Bailey