Leaving behind the corporate confines of “Severance,” Britt Lower found inspiration in Toronto’s streets to shape her character in the Canadian drama “Darkest Miriam.”
Directed by Naomi Jaye, the film is adapted from Martha Baillie’s Giller Prize-shortlisted novel The Incident Report, reflecting the author’s experiences as a Toronto librarian. Lower plays Miriam Gordon, a melancholic librarian at Allan Gardens, navigating the city’s social margins.
While Baillie’s novel offered insight into Miriam’s inner world, Lower credits Toronto’s bike lanes with fully grounding her in the role. “I had the physical job of biking around Toronto and feeling what it was like to be someone who gets around the city on her bicycle,” says Lower, praising the city’s cycling infrastructure.
Miriam’s story takes a pivotal turn when she falls into an unseen construction hole outside her home. The accident leads to a hospital visit where she refuses to answer deeply personal questions, including inquiries about suicidal thoughts. “Falling into that hole really cracks her open and opens her up to the world around her,” Lower explains.
Premiering at the Canadian Film Fest, “Darkest Miriam” arrives in theatres Friday. Lower, who previously filmed Man Seeking Woman in Toronto, expresses her fondness for the city, particularly its green spaces. “I love Trinity Bellwoods. I have spotted the albino squirrels. It’s a great city.”
Director Naomi Jaye was captivated by The Incident Report and pursued its adaptation, drawn to Miriam’s unique perspective and her interactions with library patrons. Charlie Kaufman, a longtime admirer of Baillie’s work, serves as an executive producer.
The film highlights how modern librarians often double as social workers. “Libraries hold our history and are one of the last public spaces you can occupy without spending money,” says Lower. Jaye adds that Miriam’s attachment to the library stems from trauma linked to her father’s obsession with books, keeping her trapped in a cycle of observation rather than participation.
Lower sees a thematic connection between Darkest Miriam and Severance, both exploring environments that shape identity. “Even if we don’t work in a library or an office, we all have some kind of universal relationship to both spaces.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
