Origin (2023)
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A writer navigates profound personal tragedy while researching the historical roots of global caste systems.
The story
Grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, writer Isabel Wilkerson sets herself on a path of investigation and discovery as she writes the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. After being consulted on the killing of Trayvon Martin, she explores how bigotry persists beyond race, investigating caste systems in India and the history of Nazi Germany. Throughout her research, she travels to Germany and India, grappling with the loss of her husband, mother, and cousin, while imagining conversations with those she has lost.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Writer Isabel Wilkerson, dealing with personal tragedy, begins researching the book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents' following the death of Trayvon Martin. She investigates how bigotry functions through caste systems rather than just race, visiting Germany to study Nazi laws and India to meet the home of Dr. Ambedkar, who championed the rights of the Dalit people. The film weaves in historical narratives, including a couple in Nazi Germany, and the undercover project of researchers Allison and Elizabeth Stubbs Davis who studied segregation in the American South. Amidst her research, Wilkerson experiences the deaths of her husband, mother, and cousin, often imagining conversations with the deceased. She eventually speaks on stage about her new book, explaining how the concept of caste helps understand and fight bigotry. The film concludes with a monologue detailing the book's success as a New York Times best-seller during the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 141
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ava DuVernay
- Writers
- Ava DuVernay · writer; Ava DuVernay · director
- Cast and characters
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor · Isabel Wilkerson; Jon Bernthal; Vera Farmiga; Audra McDonald · Miss Hale; Niecy Nash-Betts; Nick Offerman; Blair Underwood
- Genres
- biographical drama; drama
- Themes
- caste systems; bigotry; racism; personal tragedy; history of segregation
- Tone and mood
- ambitious; dense; forceful; moving; heartbreaking
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; non-fiction book adaptation; social issues; historical research
- Source material / true-story basis
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, being described as an ambitious and dense masterwork. Critics praised the lead performance and the visual style, though some debated its narrative structure and specific scenes.
- Reported review scores
- Test audiences · score: 91%
- Production trivia
- The film ends with a song by New Zealand musician Stan Walker.; The film received a standing ovation for more than eight minutes at the Venice International Film Festival.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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