Origin
Ava DuVernay's compelling film Origin unfolds the journey of author Isabel Wilkerson as she explores the origins of racism, inspired by her influential book, Caste. The film delves into the enigmas of history, the magic of love, and our shared aspirations for a brighter future.
When approached to write a new book, Pulitzer Prize-winning Isabel Wilkerson initially hesitates. Her publisher urges her to delve into the case of Trayvon Martin, a young boy who was tragically killed because, as a black man, he was deemed unwelcome in a white neighbourhood. After listening to the police tapes, Wilkerson becomes fascinated by this case: how is it that Latino men in a white neighbourhood would attack a black boy? Is racism as straightforward as people think? This marks the starting point for her investigation, ultimately leading to her bestseller, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a book that draws painful connections between slavery and Nazism.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay (SELMA, WHEN THEY SEE US) follows Wilkerson on her journey across continents and cultures as she works on her book. This period is characterized by both significant loss and profound love.
Wilkerson's book, Caste: The Lies that Divide Us, stands as one of the most influential American books of our time, where she exposes the unspoken caste system dividing the American population - a strict hierarchy that persists even today. Wilkerson clarifies how America truly operates and envisions what the future could (hopefully) look like.