Ava DuVernay's 'Origin' Set to Spark Conversations on Caste System

Adapted from Isabel Wilkerson's 'Caste', the film explores the journey of an author breaking open a new idea and takes bold artistic risks.

Ava DuVernay's new film 'Origin' is set to hit theaters on January 19. The film is a layered adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson's bestseller 'Caste', exploring the journey of an author breaking open a new idea and taking bold artistic risks.
'Origin' stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who wrote 'Caste'. Ellis-Taylor describes the role as a joy, despite the harrowing themes of the film.
The film was shot in three countries over 37 days and features hundreds of actors. It includes scenes shot in the actual square in Berlin where book burnings happened during the Nazi era.
Ellis-Taylor has been actively promoting the film, even handing out flyers in front of theaters. She hopes the film will spark conversations about the themes explored in 'Caste'.
Despite the film's late premieres at the Venice Film Festival and TIFF, Ellis-Taylor hopes the film will catch fire and reach a wide audience.