Virginia Film Festival

U.S. Premiere

Isabel Wilkerson, a pioneering African-American journalist and the first to receive a Pulitzer Prize, found herself confronting the issue of race once again when tasked with writing about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. Encouraged by her husband, she delved deeper, recognizing the need to understand the roots of racial injustice. Her research took her across the globe, drawing parallels between discrimination in the United States, the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, and the caste system in India, culminating in her New York Times bestseller, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a compelling examination of race and societal structures.

In this dramatic feature, renowned filmmaker Ava DuVernay (When They See Us, 13th), inspired by Wilkerson’s journey and insights, weaves Wilkerson’s revelations into a poignant visual narrative. Origin captures the powerful and intimate journey of a journalist sharing a groundbreaking idea with the world, spotlighting the enduring trauma of discrimination and the healing process that follows.

Discussion with director, producer, and writer Ava DuVernay (VAFF Visionary Award). Moderated by Ann Hornaday (Washington Post).