Pictured: Cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd, Executive Producer Tilane Jones, Producer Paul Garnes, Director Ava DuVernay, Writer Suraj Yengde and Editor Spencer Averick at the Venice 80’s Origins Evening (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)
Presented at the competition in Venice 80. Sourcea new film directed by Ava DuVernay (Selma – Road to Freedom), a biographical drama based on the book Caste by Isabelle Wilkerson with Aunjanue Ellis as Wilkerson, as well as Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman. and Blair Underwood.
Origin – Plot and Cast
Official plot: Origin follows the extraordinary life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabelle Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis) as she explores the origins of injustice and uncovers the hidden truth that concerns us all.
The cast also includes Jon Bernthal, Nicy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Connie Nielsen, Emily Yancey, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Finn Whittock, Victoria Pedretti, Isha Blacker, Miles Frost.
Origin – Trailers and Videos
Movie Trivia
- Ava DuVernay directs “Origin” from her own screenplay, based on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson.
Technical composition: Cinematography by Matthew J. Lloyd / Editing by Spencer Averick / Production Designer Ina Mayhew / Costume Design by Dominic Dawson / Sound by Willie Burton / Visual Effects by Richard McBride.
The official synopsis of the book: “Cast hierarchy has nothing to do with feelings or morals. It’s a question of power: which groups have it and which don’t.” Regardless of race or class, our lives are defined by a powerful and unspoken system of divisions. In Caste, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson offers a striking portrait of this hidden phenomenon. Linking America, India and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson shows how our world was shaped by castes and how their rigid and arbitrary hierarchies still divide us. With clear rigor, Wilkerson reveals the eight pillars that link the caste systems of different civilizations and demonstrates how our era of escalating conflict and upheaval emerged as a consequence of caste. Weaving together the stories of real people, he shows how every day his insidious background is revealed; documents astonishing health care costs; and study its impact on culture and politics. Finally, Wilkerson points to ways in which we can – and should – move beyond artificial divisions and move closer to our shared humanity. Beautifully written and deeply original, Caste is an enlightening exploration of what lies beneath the surface of ordinary life. No one can afford to ignore his moral clarity or his insistence on a freer and more just world.
Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste” is available in English on Amazon.
Director’s Notes
Sometimes beauty is not in appearance. Sometimes beauty is a truth revealed, a lesson learned. My experience with Origin has been a beautiful and challenging journey, revealing its beauty through both happy and difficult times. This film has changed my understanding of work and life, love and existence. Working with such a talented and passionate actress as Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor was an indescribable gift. The team spirit that developed with my producer partner Paul Garnes, cinematographer Matt Lloyd and editor Spencer Averick was a source of great joy. In general, the story behind the making of this film reflects the journey of the protagonist in the film. Isabelle Wilkerson finds beauty in courage, ignoring ill-wishers and turning injury into triumph. Luckily, so do I. (Ava DuVernay)
Ava DuVernay – Biographical Notes
DuVernay is an independent screenwriter, producer, director and distributor. She received the Best Director award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, was awarded the Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award in 2013, and the Tribeca Film Institute Award in 2013 for her second film. middle of nowhere.
DuVernay made his directorial debut with the acclaimed 2008 hip hop documentary. That’s life. The film, which won the Audience Award in Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle, premiered in April 2009. LA Weekly wrote, “That’s Life is one of the best must-see hip-hop documentaries.”
In 2010, he wrote, produced and directed his first narrative film. I will follow, with Sally Richardson-Whitfield. The 2011 family drama was called by critic Roger Ebert “… one of the best films about the loss of a loved one that I have ever seen.”
DuVernay has directed documentaries for ESPN. Venus vs. AND My microphone sounds good for BET along with John Legend Interludes Live, Essence Music Festival AND Faith Through the Storm for TV One.
In 2013, he directed an episode of the ABC series. Scandalas well as two films for Prada and Fashion Fair, respectively. Door AND Say yes. Previously, DuVernay worked as a marketing and publicist for over 14 years.
years, creating DVA Media + Marketing in 1999. His company has developed strategies for more than 120 film and television campaigns and for renowned directors such as Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Michael Mann and Bill Condon.
In 2014, Duvernay staged Selma – Road to Freedoma re-enactment of the marches from Selma to Montgomery that in 1965 marked the height of the African American voting rights uprising, Oscar-winning film for Best Song (John Legend and Common’s Glory).
Filmed a documentary in 2016 13th Amendment (13th) Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Documentary or Documentary, adapted for the big screen two years later. In the folds of time, a 1963 novel by Madeleine L’Engle. The film stars Storm Reed as Margaret Merry and is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine.
A graduate of UCLA, DuVernay is the founder of AFFRM, the African American Film Festival Liberation Movement. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Film Independent and the Sundance Institute. Duvernay lives in Los Angeles.
Origin – Soundtrack
- Original music by the composer Chris Bowers (“Green Book”, “United States v. Billie Holiday”, “King Richard”, “Haunted House”, “The Color Purple”).