Filmmaker John Greyson spent seven weeks in a Cairo prison last year.
John Greyson a York University professor and Canadian filmmaker who spent seven weeks in a Cairo prison last year threw his support behind Shyam Sevadurai to win the 2014 Toronto book awards for “Hungry Ghosts”.
Selvadurai was named among five finalists for the award, and Greyson will speak to the novel’s merit at the awards show on October 16. Each of the five finalists has a Toronto-based “champion” to promote their book.
“We inhabit this city but are equally feeder back in another place, another time, and other lives. That is of course what makes this city both difficult and memorable and what brings Toronto to life, characters like Sivan who is here or Daya who is back in Colombo, but able to cast a shadow back on lives in Toronto,” Greyson said.
Sri Lankan born Selvadurai is among five finalists for Toronto’s top prize.
“I don’t think any city is a resting place for immigrants; it’s a place that is alive with the here and the there. We’re never setting down, were always thinking where we’re from and where we’re going to. I think this novel captures that standing up feeling of insecurity.”
Canadian Actress and Director Sarah Polley with Canadian Sri Lankan Author Michael Ondaatje among writers and filmmakers who demanded Canadians Tarek Loubani and John Greyson be released by the Egyptian government at last year’s Toronto Film Festival.
VIDEO – Filmmaker John Greyson champions “The Hungry Ghosts”
