Origin

This biographical film, based on the work of author Isabel Wilkerson, explores the working of discrimination in its totality, and offers a vision as to how it might be overcome.

Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) walks through New Delhi in Origin (Neon).

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This post is part of the ‘One Take’ weekly series analysing the politics of a film currently showing at the cinemas.

Content warnings: Anti-Black racism; Murder; Antisemitism; Caste discrimination.

Note: Given that, at time of writing, Origin is still showing in UK cinemas, this analysis only lays out as much of the film’s scenario as is necessary so as to avoid spoilers. It is therefore suitable to be read either before or after watching the film, while hopefully still enriching the viewer’s appreciation of it either way.