The Chilling Story of My Brother Soleiman
On November 13, 2024, CBC aired My Brother, Soleiman, a heart-wrenching and powerful documentary that delves into the tragic story of Soleiman Faqiri. Directed by Rendah Haj and Eric Pedicelli, the film paints an intimate portrait of a young man whose life was cut short by systemic failures at the intersection of mental health and the prison system.
Following its broadcast, the documentary became available for streaming on CBC Gem and YouTube, sparking vital conversations about mental health advocacy and the urgent need for reform.
The Story of Soleiman Faqiri
Soleiman Faqiri was a young man with a bright future ahead of him. An athlete and a promising engineering student, he was deeply devoted to his family and his faith. However, his life took a difficult turn when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a condition that gradually deteriorated his mental health. Despite the challenges, Soleiman’s family stood by his side, offering support and care.
In December 2016, Soleiman was incarcerated at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ontario, following a mental health crisis. Tragically, just 11 days later, he was found dead in his cell under circumstances that would haunt his family and spark a relentless pursuit of justice. His death, marked by unanswered questions and apparent systemic negligence, became the catalyst for a seven-year battle to uncover the truth.
Led by his brother Yusuf Faqiri, the family fought tirelessly for transparency and accountability. Yusuf emerged as a passionate advocate, seeking justice not only for Soleiman but for countless others whose mental health struggles have been met with inadequate care in the prison system. Their journey culminated in a long-awaited coroner’s inquest, which unveiled chilling evidence and exposed the severe shortcomings that contributed to Soleiman’s death.
The Documentary’s Approach
My Brother, Soleiman takes an unflinching and deeply empathetic approach to narrating Soleiman Faqiri’s tragic story. Directed by Rendah Haj and Eric Pedicelli, the documentary artfully combines chilling jail CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and personal reflections to construct a vivid picture of the events leading up to Soleiman’s untimely death.
The film invites viewers to walk alongside the Faqiri family during their seven-year journey for truth, culminating in the highly anticipated coroner’s inquest. As new evidence comes to light, the documentary captures the heartbreak and anger of a family grappling with the systemic failures that led to Soleiman’s death.
Beyond the courtroom, the film offers an intimate glimpse into Soleiman’s world through the eyes of his loved ones. His brother Yusuf emerges as the documentary’s emotional anchor—a determined advocate whose relentless pursuit of justice becomes a central narrative thread. Yusuf’s resilience is complemented by the quiet strength of their mother, Maryam, whose faith and determination provide both solace and inspiration to the family.
Systemic Issues Highlighted
The documentary lays bare the troubling intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, where individuals in crisis often face neglect, mistreatment, and a lack of understanding from those tasked with their care.
One of the most harrowing aspects revealed in the film is Soleiman’s time at the Central East Correctional Centre. The conditions of his confinement, captured on CCTV footage and described by witnesses, expose a lack of compassion and resources for inmates with mental health challenges. The documentary emphasizes that Soleiman’s suffering was not an isolated incident but a symptom of broader systemic issues that persist across the justice system.
Through a rare and candid interview, Correctional Sergeant Clark Moss offers a powerful insider perspective. Defying jail policy, Moss recorded Soleiman’s deplorable conditions to document the extent of the system’s failure. His testimony sheds light on the immense challenges faced by frontline staff, who often lack the specialized training needed to handle high-risk situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. His revelations underline the urgent need for reform, including better training and resources to support both inmates and staff.
The film also highlights the troubling outcomes of the three police investigations that followed Soleiman’s death—all of which ended without criminal charges. This lack of accountability further underscores the systemic barriers to justice faced by families like the Faqiris.
Impact and Call for Reform
The film’s release comes at a critical time, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the coroner’s inquest verdict—a moment that brought long-awaited answers to the Faqiri family but also revealed 57 urgent recommendations for reform that remain unmet.
The Faqiri family’s relentless pursuit of justice is a central pillar of the documentary’s impact. Yusuf Faqiri’s advocacy has brought widespread attention to the need for systemic change, transforming his grief into a movement for accountability. His campaign challenges not only the correctional system but also the broader societal stigmas surrounding mental illness.
The film’s impact-driven social campaign amplifies this message, encouraging audiences to engage with initiatives focused on mental health reform, prison accountability, and justice for Soleiman. By spotlighting the human cost of inaction, My Brother, Soleiman pushes viewers to question the status quo and demand meaningful change from those in power.
Behind the Scenes
The emotional depth and storytelling excellence of My Brother, Soleiman are the result of a dedicated and talented creative team. Directed by Rendah Haj and Eric Pedicelli, the film benefits from their empathetic and incisive vision, which brings Soleiman’s story to life with both sensitivity and urgency. Pedicelli, who also serves as the producer and director of photography, ensures the visual narrative is as compelling as the story it tells.
The screenplay, written by Pedicelli and Yusuf Zine, masterfully weaves together personal accounts, inquest proceedings, and systemic analysis. Zine, a producer alongside Pedicelli, adds a deeply personal touch to the film, reflecting the Faqiri family’s resilience and their ongoing fight for justice. Editor James Yates shapes the raw footage into a seamless narrative, balancing moments of heartbreak with the larger calls for accountability and change.
Ben Fox’s original score adds to the film’s emotional impact, underlining key moments with a poignant and evocative soundtrack.
Produced by How to Fight for Justice Films Inc., the documentary was made possible through partnerships with the Rogers Documentary Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and Ontario Film and Television Tax Credits. Its release on CBC—guided by the expertise of unscripted content executives like Sandra Kleinfeld, Alexandra Lane, and Michelle McCree—ensures it reaches a broad audience, sparking vital conversations across Canada.
Wrapping Up
My Brother, Soleiman is more than a documentary—it is a testament to the resilience of a family, the enduring fight for justice, and the urgent need for systemic reform. Through powerful storytelling and stark revelations, the film ensures that Soleiman Faqiri’s life is not forgotten.