Origin

Ava DuVernay returns to the cinematic landscape for the first time since 2018 with the thought provoking spectacle that is Origin. I had the pleasure of attending the US Premiere of the film at the Virginia Film Festival (VAFF), with DuVernay presenting it and explaining her thought process while making it. During her Q&A, DuVernay revealed why she brought Origin to the VAFF:  “... I feel that Charlottesville is an integral part of a larger conversation about this country… it’s a place that holds a special place in my heart”. In fact, she detailed how the 2017 Charlottesville riots were a pivotal part of Origin’s real life protagonist Isabel Wilkerson’s experiences as she worked on her novel. 

DuVernay tackles many big ideas with Origin. The story follows Pulitzer Prize Winner Isabel Wilkerson as she goes on a journey globetrotting and learning about cultures from a variety of places and time periods to eventually craft her novel Caste: the Origins of Our Discontents. She tackles the differences between racism and caste in an effective, discussion-starting, and bold way. The story links the injustices during Nazi Germany to the Jews, Dalits in India, and African-Americans in America, illustrating how each group was suppressed due to their social status and taken advantage of by those higher up in the caste system. DuVernay’s film has a free-flowing narrative, mixing four separate timelines together that construct her thesis gradually, the viewer with her thesis before eventually exploding with a powerful punch near the conclusion of the film. At times this film can very much feel like a documentary, which is a testament to its excellent visual storytelling. Though I found the film struggled somewhat as a story, I admire DuVernay’s constant attempts to push boundaries of what conventional storytelling can be with her use of narratives in this film. 

Origin has a remarkable ensemble to accompany its exquisite screenplay. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor portrays Wilkerson in a warm but determined way. Her performance heightens the key points DuVernay is attempting to make about discrimination, and it is relentlessly authentic. The rest of the cast consist of great performances from the likes of Niecy Nash-Betts, Isha Blaaker, Jon Bernthal, and a scene-stealing turn by Audra McDonald. McDonald has one of the most gut-wrenching, pivotal moments in Origin. She carries much on her shoulders in this scene, as she must consider a variety of perspectives to inform her performance, but nevertheless does it beautifully.

While Origin is certainly a noble and ambitious project from a screenwriting and directorial achievement, did its technical elements hold up? Sort of. I found the cinematography to have some very striking moments, as its visual style really lent itself to the boldness of the storytelling. Multiple shots in this movie felt like gorgeous promotional stills, which added to the emotional depth of certain sequences.  However, at times, the cinematography had awkward framing. On the other hand, the film’s production design was consistently a major highlight. As an independent production, a lot of the international scenes were shot on location: a fact that is readily apparent in every scene. The grandiose nature of the production design, especially during the film’s Nazi section, was a major perk of the film's crafts. Origin also boasts some impressive cross cutting as it balances multiple stories, lives, love stories, and themes all at once without ever feeling overwhelming. The editing is concise, helps you stay engaged, and allows you to understand these vignettes all at once. I also enjoyed the score: while it is a little melodramatic sometimes, at other times it works perfectly to heighten the emotion in key moments.

Caste is a social and cultural concept that has been plaguing the world for centuries. Caste forces inequality on a grand scale through birth-based hierarchy, occupational specialization, social interaction restrictions, and discrimination. DuVernay uses Origin to spark a discussion of how this style of oppression is layered throughout the history of mankind. She links various love stories throughout time and showcases the discrimination and repression of political, social, and cultural representation. And as DuVernay said, “In times of division and tension, I feel that the movie theater is a magic place”. I’d highly recommend seeking her film once it comes out and tracking down the original novel for more information about Caste.

Overall, Origin is a true feat. The ways in which this film sparks a discussion and is so meaningful outside of the theatrical experience is something I truly appreciate in the artform. It’s been fascinating to engage in or even overhear conversations people had about this movie, its themes, and how the Caste system has affected many over the years from all over the world. DuVernay once again has showcased why she is truly one of the most important filmmakers working in today's landscape. I, for one, cannot wait for her next project.

8/10