Origin

In the latest opus from director Ava DuVernay (Selma, A Wrinkle in Time), the audience is invited on a journey through the studies of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, brought to life in a compelling performance by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Origin isn’t a straightforward adaptation of Wilkerson’s non-fiction book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, but a poignant exploration of her odyssey while crafting her seminal work. From the outset, DuVernay’s direction immerses viewers in Wilkerson’s world, weaving together her family dynamics, personal tragedies, and intellectual pursuits into a collage of events that mirrors the complexities of societal hierarchies.

Wilkerson’s narrative thread crosses continents and eras, drawing parallels between disparate systems of institutionalized discrimination. From the caste system in India to Nazi Germany’s stratification to the restrictive laws of the Jim Crow era, the film navigates through past contexts to illuminate the legacy of social inequality. Through Wilkerson’s lens, race relations, injustice, and the scars of historical trauma are exposed, urging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the foundations of society.

At its core, Origin is a testament to the power of storytelling as a tool for social change. Wilkerson grapples with personal loss and societal upheaval. It starts with a tragic event in the public sphere—the killing of Trayvon Martin. Guided by a supportive family, her research concerns the collective struggle for justice and equality. A loving husband (Jon Bernthal), her cousin and lifelong friend (Niecy Nash), and an ailing mother (Emily Yancy) influence her work. While occasionally challenging conventional narrative structures, the film’s ambitious scope ultimately serves to underscore the interconnectedness of human experiences.

Although cinema often adheres to formulaic narratives, Origin stands out as a bold—albeit simplified—examination. Ava DuVernay delivers a film that transcends genre conventions to meditate on the impact of systemic oppression by blending elements of biography, analysis of the past, and social commentary. Origin aspires to be more than a document; it is a call to action, a rallying cry for empathy and understanding in a world too often divided by caste and creed lines.

01-12-24