Neon announced on Tuesday that it will bring Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed drama Origin back to 500 U.S. theaters on February 28, for a one-night-only special screening event, featuring an exclusive pre-recorded introduction and post-screening Q&a with DuVernay.
Released wide on January 19, Origin has recently been awarded Best Drama, Best Director and Best Actress by the African American Film Critics Association, also securing NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture, Directing in a Motion Picture, Actress in a Motion Picture, and Youth Performance in a Motion Picture.
Written and directed by DuVernay, the film explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor leads a cast also including Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts,...
Released wide on January 19, Origin has recently been awarded Best Drama, Best Director and Best Actress by the African American Film Critics Association, also securing NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture, Directing in a Motion Picture, Actress in a Motion Picture, and Youth Performance in a Motion Picture.
Written and directed by DuVernay, the film explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor leads a cast also including Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
It is a truth universally acknowledged (or at least it should be by now) that America is a country founded upon — as well as cursed, colonized, and fertilized by — a bedrock of racism that continues to this day. Should you be unable to wrap your head around that in 2024, we’re not sure what to say to you. But to chalk up modern social inequity and state-sanctioned violence against certain communities to being “merely” a racially-biased phenomenon and simply leave it at that is insufficient. There’s something deeper going...
- 1/17/2024
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
There are so many celebs in attendance at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards and we have all the red carpet photos for you in one place!
The stars stepped out on Sunday (January 14) at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.
The show was supposed to be held at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel, but was moved because of the strikes happening at the venue.
The Critics Choice Awards show is being hosted by Chelsea Handler this year, marking her second year in a row as host. The ceremony airs on The CW starting at 4pm Pt/7pm Et and is airing live on both coasts. Make sure to check out the full list of nominations!
Make sure to check out the Best Dressed list for our 20 favorite looks.
Head inside to check out the full list of celebs on the red carpet…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of celebs on the red carpet…...
The stars stepped out on Sunday (January 14) at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.
The show was supposed to be held at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel, but was moved because of the strikes happening at the venue.
The Critics Choice Awards show is being hosted by Chelsea Handler this year, marking her second year in a row as host. The ceremony airs on The CW starting at 4pm Pt/7pm Et and is airing live on both coasts. Make sure to check out the full list of nominations!
Make sure to check out the Best Dressed list for our 20 favorite looks.
Head inside to check out the full list of celebs on the red carpet…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of celebs on the red carpet…...
- 1/15/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Plex is bringing a host of heavy hitters to its January lineup! This coming month, the streamer will start 2024 on a high note with dozens of new titles, including Bo Burnham’s acclaimed and affirming directorial debut “Eighth Grade,” Nordic box office toppers, Robert De Niro-led crime epics, and more.
Check out the full list of everything coming to Plex in January and add The Streamable’s top picks to the top of your to-watch list!
Watch Now Free plex.tv What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Plex in January 2024? “A Single Man” | Monday, Jan. 1
Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directorial debut to turn Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name into the lush and fashionable feature. Colin Firth stars as George Falconer, a depressed English college professor in 1960s Los Angeles grieving the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Julianne Moore co-stars as...
Check out the full list of everything coming to Plex in January and add The Streamable’s top picks to the top of your to-watch list!
Watch Now Free plex.tv What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Plex in January 2024? “A Single Man” | Monday, Jan. 1
Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directorial debut to turn Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name into the lush and fashionable feature. Colin Firth stars as George Falconer, a depressed English college professor in 1960s Los Angeles grieving the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Julianne Moore co-stars as...
- 12/22/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
"You don't escape trauma by ignoring it." Neon has revealed the main official trailer for the powerful film Origin, the latest work from acclaimed writer / director / producer Ava DuVernay. The film premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, and it also played at TIFF this fall. It's about "the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions." Origin is inspired by the remarkable life & work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, "Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents". While grappling with tremendous tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty & bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time. With Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Connie Nielsen.
- 12/15/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Ava DuVernay is returning to the big screen with her new feature, “Origin.”
The “Selma” and “13th” writer-director adapted the feature from 2020 nonfiction bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. Aunjanue Ellis stars as author Isabel, a woman who faces personal tragedy and sets out to investigate what racism and pain look like on a global scale.
Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
The official synopsis reads: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
DuVernay produces along with Paul Garnes. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before playing at TIFF.
“I’m not putting this out there seeking agreement.
The “Selma” and “13th” writer-director adapted the feature from 2020 nonfiction bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. Aunjanue Ellis stars as author Isabel, a woman who faces personal tragedy and sets out to investigate what racism and pain look like on a global scale.
Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
The official synopsis reads: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
DuVernay produces along with Paul Garnes. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before playing at TIFF.
“I’m not putting this out there seeking agreement.
- 12/15/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Ava DuVernay returns with “Origin,” a sprawling drama that critics have hailed as the director’s most ambitious and accomplished movie. Those reviews have yet to turn the film into an awards season juggernaut — it was shut out of the Globes, AFI and other early awards — but admirers of “Origin” hope that it will eventually find its footing with Oscars voters. Neon, the indie label behind “Parasite” and “I, Tonya,” is releasing the film in theaters on Jan. 19. It had a small qualifying run last weekend.
“Origin” is an adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed best-seller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” It follows the author as she endures personal grief while investigating the global phenomenon of caste and the way it warps societies and sows division and hatred. The trailer gives a hint at the way the film ties together these different strands, showing scenes of a Nazi rally...
“Origin” is an adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed best-seller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” It follows the author as she endures personal grief while investigating the global phenomenon of caste and the way it warps societies and sows division and hatred. The trailer gives a hint at the way the film ties together these different strands, showing scenes of a Nazi rally...
- 12/15/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in OriginPhoto: Atsushi Nishijima (Neon)
There’s a scene nearly halfway through Origin where the protagonist is advised by her confidant to simplify her new book’s sharp-but-unwieldy premise or risk losing potential readers. It reads like similar feedback given to writer-director Ava DuVernay in...
There’s a scene nearly halfway through Origin where the protagonist is advised by her confidant to simplify her new book’s sharp-but-unwieldy premise or risk losing potential readers. It reads like similar feedback given to writer-director Ava DuVernay in...
- 12/8/2023
- by Courtney Howard
- avclub.com
"You'll sit through three hours of [Oppenheimer's] process," observed "Origin" director Ava DuVernay. "Will you sit through two hours of [subject Isabel Wilkerson's] process?" She suggested in a slightly playful provocation, but it's worth unpacking some of the similarities. Both "Oppenheimer" and "Origin" are films about great thinkers and scholars who formulate groundbreaking ideas. Each has the power to change the future by reconstructing how people formulate the past.
For author Isabel Wilkerson, brought to life in "Origin" by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, her ability to locate patterns of discrimination across time and borders leads to a new working theory of society. Her framework unites the plight of Dalits in India, Jews in Nazi Germany, and Blacks in the United States, though not without some pushback among her peers. A hierarchy of caste supersedes all other categories of identity, uniting all people in a global strife against unjust oppression.
DuVernay correctly recognizes that...
For author Isabel Wilkerson, brought to life in "Origin" by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, her ability to locate patterns of discrimination across time and borders leads to a new working theory of society. Her framework unites the plight of Dalits in India, Jews in Nazi Germany, and Blacks in the United States, though not without some pushback among her peers. A hierarchy of caste supersedes all other categories of identity, uniting all people in a global strife against unjust oppression.
DuVernay correctly recognizes that...
- 12/5/2023
- by Marshall Shaffer
- Slash Film
Exclusive: We are hearing from sources that Origin, the new movie from Oscar nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, is not only the highest tested movie in her career, but for Neon, the pic’s distributor too.
Origin landed a 91 total positive in the top two boxes with an 81 definite recommend in its audience testing, outstripping Neon’s Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or and 2020 Best Picture Oscar winner, Parasite, which clocked a 91 total positive and 73 definite recommend, as well as the studio’s other Oscar winner, I, Tonya, which earned an 88 total positive, and 68 definite recommend.
We understand that the focus groups who remain after an Origin test screening are emotionally in tears, moved by what they’ve just seen, with deep conversations with other moviegoers on the pic’s social issues. The movie has an awards qualifying release in LA and NYC on Dec. 8 before opening on Jan. 19.
Neon took...
Origin landed a 91 total positive in the top two boxes with an 81 definite recommend in its audience testing, outstripping Neon’s Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or and 2020 Best Picture Oscar winner, Parasite, which clocked a 91 total positive and 73 definite recommend, as well as the studio’s other Oscar winner, I, Tonya, which earned an 88 total positive, and 68 definite recommend.
We understand that the focus groups who remain after an Origin test screening are emotionally in tears, moved by what they’ve just seen, with deep conversations with other moviegoers on the pic’s social issues. The movie has an awards qualifying release in LA and NYC on Dec. 8 before opening on Jan. 19.
Neon took...
- 11/21/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In Ava DuVernay’s latest film, Origin, which held its U.S. premiere at the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville on Friday, the filmmaker wrestles with a lot of big ideas. For the Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker behind Selma, 13th and When They See Us, tackling big questions about race, class and history is nothing new — but for her latest feature, she admits she had to break a lot of established filmmaking rules to bring the story of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson to the screen.
Taking inspiration from Wilkerson’s acclaimed 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, DuVernay’s film is partly a portrait of Wilkerson — played in the film by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who recently earned a Gotham Award nom for her role in the film — as she embarks on an intellectual journey across time and place to connect how social hierarchies in distinctly different cultures across the globe are connected,...
Taking inspiration from Wilkerson’s acclaimed 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, DuVernay’s film is partly a portrait of Wilkerson — played in the film by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who recently earned a Gotham Award nom for her role in the film — as she embarks on an intellectual journey across time and place to connect how social hierarchies in distinctly different cultures across the globe are connected,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ava DuVernay’s film “Origin” will have a one-week exclusive theatrical release in Los Angeles and New York in December, more than a month ahead of its scheduled rollout in January, distributor Neon announced on Thursday.
The film, which stars “King Richard” Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, will play in the two major markets beginning on Dec. 8 before its wider release on Jan. 19, 2024. That short run will qualify it for Oscar consideration for the 96th Academy Awards.
The movie is about a journalist who investigates the global phenomenon of caste and how the arbitrary hierarchy has influenced society. Per the logline, “‘Origin’ explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance and a fight for our future.”
DuVernay wrote and directed the film, which is “inspired by” the 2020 nonfiction best-seller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson. Ellis-Taylor plays a dramatized version Wilkerson in the film.
The film, which stars “King Richard” Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, will play in the two major markets beginning on Dec. 8 before its wider release on Jan. 19, 2024. That short run will qualify it for Oscar consideration for the 96th Academy Awards.
The movie is about a journalist who investigates the global phenomenon of caste and how the arbitrary hierarchy has influenced society. Per the logline, “‘Origin’ explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance and a fight for our future.”
DuVernay wrote and directed the film, which is “inspired by” the 2020 nonfiction best-seller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson. Ellis-Taylor plays a dramatized version Wilkerson in the film.
- 10/19/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
This post contains spoilers for the season premiere of "Loki."
"Loki" is back this week, and along with the return of Norse trickster god Loki (Tom Hiddleston), agent Mobius (Owen Wilson), and the rest of the Time Variance Authority, the show's premiere also sees the introduction of a few new key characters. Among them? Ke Huy Quan's helpful, tech-savvy Ouroboros (or O.B.) and X-5, a mysterious new Tva agent played by Rafael Casal. And it's the latter who is particularly intriguing.
So far, we haven't seen X-5 do much besides question whether jet skis are part of the sacred timeline, but the character already seems to be an agitating force within the organization. He's also quite possibly poised to become a recognizable Marvel villain. After all, a featurette for the second season had a couple bits of footage from behind the scenes that showed him in a Tva jumpsuit,...
"Loki" is back this week, and along with the return of Norse trickster god Loki (Tom Hiddleston), agent Mobius (Owen Wilson), and the rest of the Time Variance Authority, the show's premiere also sees the introduction of a few new key characters. Among them? Ke Huy Quan's helpful, tech-savvy Ouroboros (or O.B.) and X-5, a mysterious new Tva agent played by Rafael Casal. And it's the latter who is particularly intriguing.
So far, we haven't seen X-5 do much besides question whether jet skis are part of the sacred timeline, but the character already seems to be an agitating force within the organization. He's also quite possibly poised to become a recognizable Marvel villain. After all, a featurette for the second season had a couple bits of footage from behind the scenes that showed him in a Tva jumpsuit,...
- 10/6/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
The premium cable movie channel Starz has reportedly canceled three of their shows plus one upcoming project, according to Deadline. Starz will no longer be continuing the run of the wrestling drama Heels, as well as Run the World and Blindspotting. In addition, the channel has also decided not to proceed with The Venery of Samantha Bird. Heels, Run the World and Blindspotting have all completed two seasons, but The Venery of Samantha Bird was in the middle of production when the show paused for the strikes. Two episodes were left to film in the season.
Heels was produced by Lionsgate and Paramount Network Television and the plot, per Deadline, “revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war...
Heels was produced by Lionsgate and Paramount Network Television and the plot, per Deadline, “revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war...
- 9/26/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
There are some big changes at Starz, and it's bad news for four shows.
Variety reported Monday evening that the premium cabler has canceled Heels, Run the World, and Blindspotting and is scrapping The Venery of Samantha Bird ahead of its premiere.
Heels, Run the World, and Blindspotting lasted for two seasons on the premium cabler, but it seems that the trio didn't have enough interest to sustain additional seasons.
The highest profile of the three shows was Heels, which starred Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, a man who inherited the league from his father.
However, he struggled to keep things running well, leading to plenty of drama across the two seasons.
The cast also included Alexander Ludwig, Chris Bauer, Mary McCormack, Kelli Berglund, Allen Maldonado, and Trey Tucker.
Rounding out the cast were Robby Ramos, Alice Barrett Mitchell, Roxton Garcia, David James Elliott, Joel Murray, and Cm Punk.
Fans...
Variety reported Monday evening that the premium cabler has canceled Heels, Run the World, and Blindspotting and is scrapping The Venery of Samantha Bird ahead of its premiere.
Heels, Run the World, and Blindspotting lasted for two seasons on the premium cabler, but it seems that the trio didn't have enough interest to sustain additional seasons.
The highest profile of the three shows was Heels, which starred Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, a man who inherited the league from his father.
However, he struggled to keep things running well, leading to plenty of drama across the two seasons.
The cast also included Alexander Ludwig, Chris Bauer, Mary McCormack, Kelli Berglund, Allen Maldonado, and Trey Tucker.
Rounding out the cast were Robby Ramos, Alice Barrett Mitchell, Roxton Garcia, David James Elliott, Joel Murray, and Cm Punk.
Fans...
- 9/25/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Starz has axed three existing drama series and one upcoming project.
The network has binned Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting as well as not moving forward with The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting all aired two seasons and The Venery of Samantha Bird paused production in May due to the strikes with two episodes left to film.
Heels revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war over their late father’s legacy. In the ring, somebody must play the good guy and somebody must play their nemesis, the heel. But in the real world, those characters can be hard to live up to — or hard to leave behind.
Alison Luff, Mary McCormack,...
The network has binned Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting as well as not moving forward with The Venery of Samantha Bird.
Heels, Run The World and Blindspotting all aired two seasons and The Venery of Samantha Bird paused production in May due to the strikes with two episodes left to film.
Heels revolves around the men and women who chase their dreams in the world of small-town pro wrestling. Set in a close-knit Georgia community, it follows a family-owned wrestling promotion as two brothers and rivals (Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig) war over their late father’s legacy. In the ring, somebody must play the good guy and somebody must play their nemesis, the heel. But in the real world, those characters can be hard to live up to — or hard to leave behind.
Alison Luff, Mary McCormack,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz is cleaning house: The pay-cable network has cancelled three series, dropping the axe on sophomore shows Heels, Run the World and Blindspotting, our sister site Variety reports. In addition, the network has scrapped plans for The Venery of Samantha Bird, which was in development.
Heels starred Arrow alum Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, a pro wrestler competing alongside his younger brother Ace (Alexander Ludwig). Season 2 saw Jack and Ace “continue to fight over their late father’s legacy and their individual versions of success, while also working to find their own identity as a ‘face’ or a ‘heel,’” per the official synopsis.
Heels starred Arrow alum Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, a pro wrestler competing alongside his younger brother Ace (Alexander Ludwig). Season 2 saw Jack and Ace “continue to fight over their late father’s legacy and their individual versions of success, while also working to find their own identity as a ‘face’ or a ‘heel,’” per the official synopsis.
- 9/25/2023
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Starz is canceling four of its series, Variety has learned exclusively. Specifically, “Heels,” “Run the World,” and “Blindspotting” will not get new seasons at the cable network, while “The Venery of Samantha Bird” Season 1 is being scrapped without airing.
“Heels,” “Run the World,” and “Blindspotting” all recently aired their second season at Starz, while “The Venery of Samantha Bird” was in production on its first season. Production was shut down, however, at the onset of the WGA strike. It was reported at the time that only two episodes of the first season were left to shoot.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird” was to star Katherine Langford as the title character. Per the official logline, “Samantha, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But the couple’s picture-perfect love story isn’t as sweet as it seems on the surface.
“Heels,” “Run the World,” and “Blindspotting” all recently aired their second season at Starz, while “The Venery of Samantha Bird” was in production on its first season. Production was shut down, however, at the onset of the WGA strike. It was reported at the time that only two episodes of the first season were left to shoot.
“The Venery of Samantha Bird” was to star Katherine Langford as the title character. Per the official logline, “Samantha, while visiting family in New England, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart and falls headlong into a seemingly perfect storybook romance. But the couple’s picture-perfect love story isn’t as sweet as it seems on the surface.
- 9/25/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Starz announced the cancellation of four of its series, including “Blindspotting,” “Heels,” “Run the World” and “The Venery of Samantha Bird,” TheWrap has learned.
An individual with knowledge of the decisionmaking told TheWrap that the shows “unfortunately did not find a large enough audience” to be renewed for more episodes. A decision has yet to be made on the series “Minx,” which aired its Season 2 finale on Sept. 8.
The decision to remove the shows from the slate came after strong consideration, and per the insider, the network hopes to work with Rafael Casal (“Blindspotting”), Daveed Diggs (“Blindspotting”), Rachelle Williams-Benary (“Run the World”) and Mike O’Malley (“Heels”) in the future. Each of these shows have all aired their second seasons.
“The Venery of Samantha,” starring Katherine Langford and created by Anna Moriarty, only had two more episodes of its first season left to film, but the writers’ and actors’ strikes impacted its cancellation.
An individual with knowledge of the decisionmaking told TheWrap that the shows “unfortunately did not find a large enough audience” to be renewed for more episodes. A decision has yet to be made on the series “Minx,” which aired its Season 2 finale on Sept. 8.
The decision to remove the shows from the slate came after strong consideration, and per the insider, the network hopes to work with Rafael Casal (“Blindspotting”), Daveed Diggs (“Blindspotting”), Rachelle Williams-Benary (“Run the World”) and Mike O’Malley (“Heels”) in the future. Each of these shows have all aired their second seasons.
“The Venery of Samantha,” starring Katherine Langford and created by Anna Moriarty, only had two more episodes of its first season left to film, but the writers’ and actors’ strikes impacted its cancellation.
- 9/25/2023
- by Raquel 'Rocky' Harris
- The Wrap
The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival concludes today with the Closing Ceremony and presentation of the winners of the Lions. Director Yorgos Lanthimos took home the coveted Golden Lion for his film Poor Things, while Cailee Spaeny was honored as Best Actress for her performance in Priscilla, and Peter Sarsgaard received the Best Actor award for Memory.
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes cast uncertainty on the presence of celebrities gracing the iconic event over the course of the 10-day fest, with guild members participating in or promoting premieres doing so only under SAG-AFTRA interim agreements allowing them to make appearances and engage on the festival’s revered red carpet.
Related: Venice Film Festival: Yorgos Lanthimos Wins Golden Lion With ‘Poor Things’ — Full List
Edoardo De Angelis’s drama Comandante opened the festival with other highlight premieres from this year’s slate including Michael Mann’s Ferrari...
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes cast uncertainty on the presence of celebrities gracing the iconic event over the course of the 10-day fest, with guild members participating in or promoting premieres doing so only under SAG-AFTRA interim agreements allowing them to make appearances and engage on the festival’s revered red carpet.
Related: Venice Film Festival: Yorgos Lanthimos Wins Golden Lion With ‘Poor Things’ — Full List
Edoardo De Angelis’s drama Comandante opened the festival with other highlight premieres from this year’s slate including Michael Mann’s Ferrari...
- 9/9/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Origin, Daddio both play TIFF in the coming days.
Interest is swirling in Toronto around two major acquisition titles that have already premiered on the fall festival circuit as buyers circle Ava DuVernay’s Origin and Christy Hall’s feature debut Daddio.
Neon is shopping Origin to international buyers after swooping on worldwide rights shortly before Wednesday’s (September 6) Venice world premiere sparked an eight-minute standing ovation.
Hoping to parlay Lido acclaim into what sources said could become an early deal with a studio or streamer, Neon’s freshly minted head of sales Kristen Figeroid is engaging with buyers at...
Interest is swirling in Toronto around two major acquisition titles that have already premiered on the fall festival circuit as buyers circle Ava DuVernay’s Origin and Christy Hall’s feature debut Daddio.
Neon is shopping Origin to international buyers after swooping on worldwide rights shortly before Wednesday’s (September 6) Venice world premiere sparked an eight-minute standing ovation.
Hoping to parlay Lido acclaim into what sources said could become an early deal with a studio or streamer, Neon’s freshly minted head of sales Kristen Figeroid is engaging with buyers at...
- 9/8/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ava DuVernay touched down at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday evening with her new film Origin, which world premiered in Competition and received a more than eight-minute ovation in its debut screening.
DuVernay was visibly overjoyed by the audience’s warm response to the film. The director was making history as the first female African American director to compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award across its 80 editions, stretching back to 1932.
(Watch) Ava DuVernay thanks audience for enthusiastic response to ‘Origin’ at #Venezia80 premiere pic.twitter.com/Rq7VYnrie7
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 6, 2023
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her creative and personal journey as she writes her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Venice Film Festival 2023 Photos: Ava DuVernay, ‘Origin’ & ‘In The Land Of Saints And Sinners...
DuVernay was visibly overjoyed by the audience’s warm response to the film. The director was making history as the first female African American director to compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award across its 80 editions, stretching back to 1932.
(Watch) Ava DuVernay thanks audience for enthusiastic response to ‘Origin’ at #Venezia80 premiere pic.twitter.com/Rq7VYnrie7
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 6, 2023
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her creative and personal journey as she writes her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Venice Film Festival 2023 Photos: Ava DuVernay, ‘Origin’ & ‘In The Land Of Saints And Sinners...
- 9/6/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s latest film, “Origin,” received a warm welcome at Venice Film Festival on Wednesday night, where it premiered to a five-minute and 46-second standing ovation.
The drama, which is an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontent,” left many audience members in tears as it weaved together Wilkerson’s own life story with harrowing depictions of the Holocaust, slavery and India’s caste system.
The audience began to clap during the film’s several-minute acting credits sequence and continued as the lights came on. While the crowd cheered, DuVernay couldn’t stop smiling and encouraged the crew members with her to share in the spotlight. “Thank you,” DuVernay mouthed over and over before sharing a hug with Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera.
The film stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood,...
The drama, which is an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontent,” left many audience members in tears as it weaved together Wilkerson’s own life story with harrowing depictions of the Holocaust, slavery and India’s caste system.
The audience began to clap during the film’s several-minute acting credits sequence and continued as the lights came on. While the crowd cheered, DuVernay couldn’t stop smiling and encouraged the crew members with her to share in the spotlight. “Thank you,” DuVernay mouthed over and over before sharing a hug with Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera.
The film stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s new indie feature “Origin” had its world premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival as the fest was starting to wrap up on Wednesday, September 6. In the process, DuVernay made history as the first African American female filmmaker ever to have a movie perform at Venice in competition. The import of the moment as relates to festival gender diversity wasn’t lost on DuVernay – “Origin’s” writer and producer as well as its director – who on Wednesday told the Venice press corps in advance of the screening, “We are often told you cannot play international film festivals, no one will come, people will not come to your press conference, people will not come to the P&i screenings, you will not get into this festival, don’t apply.”
DuVernay credited the fact the film was made independently for her breaking the female color barrier at such a prestigious festival as Venice.
DuVernay credited the fact the film was made independently for her breaking the female color barrier at such a prestigious festival as Venice.
- 9/6/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Ava DuVernay’s return to feature filmmaking doubles as a thematic homecoming. Origin, loosely adapted from Isabel Wilkerson’s tome Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, is, at its core, a deeply sincere story of love and grief.
DuVernay’s interest in animating the inner lives of Black women stretches back to her feature debut, I Will Follow, in which she explored the contours of a young woman’s heartache after the death of her aunt. She built on it with Middle of Nowhere, a remarkable second feature about a nurse confronting her relationship with her incarcerated husband. And although Selma is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the film complicates Coretta (Carmen Ejogo), positioning her as King’s strategic co-conspirator instead of just a dutiful wife. In all of these films, DuVernay centers the emotional landscape of Black women, reflecting on how interpersonal and structural constrictions shape their behaviors.
DuVernay’s interest in animating the inner lives of Black women stretches back to her feature debut, I Will Follow, in which she explored the contours of a young woman’s heartache after the death of her aunt. She built on it with Middle of Nowhere, a remarkable second feature about a nurse confronting her relationship with her incarcerated husband. And although Selma is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the film complicates Coretta (Carmen Ejogo), positioning her as King’s strategic co-conspirator instead of just a dutiful wife. In all of these films, DuVernay centers the emotional landscape of Black women, reflecting on how interpersonal and structural constrictions shape their behaviors.
- 9/6/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neon has revealed a teaser trailer for Ava DuVernay’s next feature ‘Origin.’
Inspired by the New York Times Best-Seller ‘Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, while grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting the seminal work.
Ava DuVernay wrote, directed and produced the film which stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen.
Also in trailers – “I don’t trust you no more…” Final trailer drops for the concluding chapter of ‘Top Boy’
The post Teaser trailer revealed Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Inspired by the New York Times Best-Seller ‘Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, while grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting the seminal work.
Ava DuVernay wrote, directed and produced the film which stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen.
Also in trailers – “I don’t trust you no more…” Final trailer drops for the concluding chapter of ‘Top Boy’
The post Teaser trailer revealed Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 9/6/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
At the Venice Film Festival press conference for Ava DuVernay’s new film “Origin” on Wednesday, the director revealed that she has previously been told not to apply to the festival because “you won’t get in.”
DuVernay is making history this year as the first African American woman in the festival’s 80-year existence to have a film compete for the Golden Lion. “Origin,” starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal, “chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all,” according to the film’s official synopsis.
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films. This is something that we are often told: you cannot play international film festivals,...
DuVernay is making history this year as the first African American woman in the festival’s 80-year existence to have a film compete for the Golden Lion. “Origin,” starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal, “chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all,” according to the film’s official synopsis.
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films. This is something that we are often told: you cannot play international film festivals,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay has made history at the Venice Film Festival, becoming the first female Black U.S. director in the event’s 80 years to have a film in the main competition. DuVernay addressed this milestone head-on at the press conference for Origin, which will have world premiere Wednesday night, explaining that Black U.S. filmmakers are led to believe that international film festivals are simply not places for their work.
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films,” she said. “This is something that we are often told — ‘You cannot play international film festivals, no one will come, people will not come to your press conference, people will not come to the P&i screenings, they will not be interested in selling tickets, you may not even get into this festival,...
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films,” she said. “This is something that we are often told — ‘You cannot play international film festivals, no one will come, people will not come to your press conference, people will not come to the P&i screenings, they will not be interested in selling tickets, you may not even get into this festival,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Alex Ritman and Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“That is the part where you look up and you say, ‘How could people have allowed their neighbors to be taken and put in the camps?’” Origin director Ava DuVernay says of the deep roots of discrimination and the cruel consequences of subjugation.
“Now, in a similar way, you allow it to come across your feed? You repost it and keep going?” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker adds. “The goal of Origin, of this work, is to say stop a second, realize what is going on, how close we are to this and to start to challenge our vocabulary.”
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, Origin punctiliously tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification. Yet, with Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson, this is a drama not a documentary. In that,...
“Now, in a similar way, you allow it to come across your feed? You repost it and keep going?” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker adds. “The goal of Origin, of this work, is to say stop a second, realize what is going on, how close we are to this and to start to challenge our vocabulary.”
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, Origin punctiliously tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification. Yet, with Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson, this is a drama not a documentary. In that,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon snagged the rights to Oscar nominee Ava DuVernay’s Origin ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and released the first teaser trailer. With Origin, writer, producer, and director Ava DuVernay becomes the first African-American woman director in competition in Venice Film Festival’s 80-year history.
Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) leads a talented ensemble that includes Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, and Audra McDonald. Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
“I’ve known Ava for a long time and my love and admiration for her and her work goes back further, even before Middle of Nowhere. I’m truly humbled that it is this movie which has finally brought us together. She has always been a gifted storyteller, and her mastery of her craft shines through in this deeply personal and inspired adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book,...
Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) leads a talented ensemble that includes Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, and Audra McDonald. Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
“I’ve known Ava for a long time and my love and admiration for her and her work goes back further, even before Middle of Nowhere. I’m truly humbled that it is this movie which has finally brought us together. She has always been a gifted storyteller, and her mastery of her craft shines through in this deeply personal and inspired adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
One day before its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the new Ava DuVernay film “Origin” has been acquired by Neon with a release scheduled for later this year. The new film, DuVernay’s first feature as a director since 2018’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” will also screen at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and joins a loaded Neon slate for 2023 that already includes Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Anatomy of a Fall” as well as “The Royal Hotel,” “La Chimera,” “Perfect Days,” and “Ferrari.”
DuVernay wrote, produced, and directed ‘Origin,’ which Neon noted “is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, ‘Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.’ While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and...
DuVernay wrote, produced, and directed ‘Origin,’ which Neon noted “is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, ‘Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.’ While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and...
- 9/5/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
It's not hyperbole to call Ava DuVernay one of the most exciting storytellers working in film and TV right now. Thanks to her efforts behind the camera on the lauded Civil Rights Movement drama "Selma" and criminal justice system documentary "13th" (along with her equally revered work on the 1989 Central Park jogger case miniseries "When They See Us"), DuVernay has emerged as the leading voice in tackling issues of inequality onscreen. Even her flawed venture into fantasy filmmaking with Disney's "A Wrinkle in Time" was far and above more ambitious and interesting than any other live-action film the House of Mouse has put out over the last decade.
Now, five years after "Wrinkle" opened in theaters, DuVernay is finally back with a new feature film: "Origin." The project is based on journalist Isabel Wilkerson's acclaimed 2020 non-fiction book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents," which examines the history of systematic inequality across the world,...
Now, five years after "Wrinkle" opened in theaters, DuVernay is finally back with a new feature film: "Origin." The project is based on journalist Isabel Wilkerson's acclaimed 2020 non-fiction book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents," which examines the history of systematic inequality across the world,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
"All of this is linked..." Wow this looks phenomenal. Neon has unveiled an official teaser trailer for a film titled Origin, the latest work from acclaimed writer / director / producer Ava DuVernay. It's also listed under the title Origins, though the festival is still calling it Origin. It's premiering at the 2023 Venice Film Festival this week, and was also announced for TIFF and London later this fall. The descriptions so far are a bit vague, calling it a love story, but it's more than that. "The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions." Neon adds: Origin, inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, "Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents". While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite...
- 9/5/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Neon has acquired worldwide rights for Ava DuVernay’s Origin ahead of its world premiere in Competition at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday (September 6).
The studio said it had secured the rights with a competitive bid and is planning a release for late 2023.
DuVernay will make history in Venice as the first African-American female director to premiere a film in competition in the festival’s 80-year history.
She wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her life as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Ava DuVernay On ‘Origin’: “Thank Goodness We Made This Film Independently” – Venice
While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one...
The studio said it had secured the rights with a competitive bid and is planning a release for late 2023.
DuVernay will make history in Venice as the first African-American female director to premiere a film in competition in the festival’s 80-year history.
She wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her life as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Ava DuVernay On ‘Origin’: “Thank Goodness We Made This Film Independently” – Venice
While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one...
- 9/5/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama to get nationaiwde theatrical release later this year.
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s drama Origin starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal ahead of the world premiere in Venice on Wednesday.
The film marks the first competition entry on the Lido by an African-American woman and will also play as a gala screening at TIFF on September 11 with DuVernay scheduled to attend.
Neon plans a nationwide theatrical release later this year after what it called a competitive bidding situation.
Origin is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets...
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s drama Origin starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal ahead of the world premiere in Venice on Wednesday.
The film marks the first competition entry on the Lido by an African-American woman and will also play as a gala screening at TIFF on September 11 with DuVernay scheduled to attend.
Neon plans a nationwide theatrical release later this year after what it called a competitive bidding situation.
Origin is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets...
- 9/5/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Neon announced Tuesday that they have acquired worldwide distribution rights to Ava DuVernay’s latest directorial effort, “Origin” ahead of its Wednesday premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed novel, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents,” DuVernay’s film turns Wilkerson into a real character played by Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). As the official synopsis for the film reads, “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones and Connie Nielsen.
Accompanying the release is a brief first teaser of the movie, giving audiences their first glimpse of Ellis-Taylor’s Isabel.
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed novel, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents,” DuVernay’s film turns Wilkerson into a real character played by Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). As the official synopsis for the film reads, “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones and Connie Nielsen.
Accompanying the release is a brief first teaser of the movie, giving audiences their first glimpse of Ellis-Taylor’s Isabel.
- 9/5/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” ahead of its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
The movie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts, will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Origin” will be released in theaters later this year.
DuVernay is the first African American woman director in competition in Venice’s 80-year history. She wrote, produced and directed the film, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” A press release describes the plot as such: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.” Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald,...
The movie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts, will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Origin” will be released in theaters later this year.
DuVernay is the first African American woman director in competition in Venice’s 80-year history. She wrote, produced and directed the film, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” A press release describes the plot as such: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.” Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
A day before its much-anticipated premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Ava DuVernay’s Origin has sold to Neon for worldwide distribution.
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed Origin and is breaking ground in Venice as the first Black U.S. female director in the festival’s 80-year history to have a feature in competition. (Watch the trailer below.)
Neon described the sales process as “competitive” and said it will release the movie across the U.S. later this year. The film is getting a North American premiere in Toronto after Venice and ahead of the theatrical release.
Origin is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson — played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) — as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Wilkerson sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite...
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed Origin and is breaking ground in Venice as the first Black U.S. female director in the festival’s 80-year history to have a feature in competition. (Watch the trailer below.)
Neon described the sales process as “competitive” and said it will release the movie across the U.S. later this year. The film is getting a North American premiere in Toronto after Venice and ahead of the theatrical release.
Origin is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson — played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) — as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Wilkerson sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite...
- 9/5/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neon has landed the first major acquisition out of the fall festivals, as the shingled has picked up the worldwide distribution rights to Ava DuVernay’s next film, “Origin.” The film makes its world premiere tomorrow in competition at the Venice Film Festival and, just over the weekend, was added to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival lineup.
Neon is planning a theatrical release for later this year. The distributor has also released the first teaser for the film, which you can watch below.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars in “Origin” as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the seminal non-fiction book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” The book compares racism in America to the caste systems of both India and Nazi Germany and examines how hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion have shaped our society’s views on race. The film stars Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson as she grapples with a personal...
Neon is planning a theatrical release for later this year. The distributor has also released the first teaser for the film, which you can watch below.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars in “Origin” as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the seminal non-fiction book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” The book compares racism in America to the caste systems of both India and Nazi Germany and examines how hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion have shaped our society’s views on race. The film stars Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson as she grapples with a personal...
- 9/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Ava DuVernay’s Origin, the first film by an African American woman to play in Competition at the Venice Film Festival, will have a Gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall at TIFF on Monday, September 11. DuVernay will be in attendance for the screening of the film, which she wrote, produced and directed.
Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all. Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and...
Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all. Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and...
- 9/4/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Jasmine Cephas Jones posted a heartfelt tribute to her father, Ron Cephas Jones, to Instagram on Wednesday. The actor passed away earlier this month.
“Grief. This one is a battle. I keep looking at my phone wanting to call you and wanting to hear your voice,” Jones wrote. “You listened… you Really listened to me. You valued my opinion and you never judged me. We all know you were a great actor but my god you were a damn good father.”
The two made history at the 2020 Emmy Awards when they both took home prizes, Jasmine for her role in #FreeRayShawn and Ron for his guest appearance on This Is Us.
>Watch Jasmine Cephas Jones uINTERVIEW!
“There’s so much [to] say, but I don’t have many words,” Jones concluded her post. “I just love you so much. I miss you beyond words. I still feel you here with me...
“Grief. This one is a battle. I keep looking at my phone wanting to call you and wanting to hear your voice,” Jones wrote. “You listened… you Really listened to me. You valued my opinion and you never judged me. We all know you were a great actor but my god you were a damn good father.”
The two made history at the 2020 Emmy Awards when they both took home prizes, Jasmine for her role in #FreeRayShawn and Ron for his guest appearance on This Is Us.
>Watch Jasmine Cephas Jones uINTERVIEW!
“There’s so much [to] say, but I don’t have many words,” Jones concluded her post. “I just love you so much. I miss you beyond words. I still feel you here with me...
- 9/1/2023
- by Ava Lombardi
- Uinterview
Jasmine Cephas took to social media on Wednesday to honour her late father, Ron Cephas Jones, who passed away earlier this month at 66 years old.
On Wednesday, the “Hamilton” actress, who made history by becoming the first father-daughter duo to take home an Emmy alongside her father on the same night in 2020, shared a bundle of memories to Instagram in an homage to her late dad.
“Grief. This one is a battle. I keep looking at my phone wanting to call you and wanting to hear your voice. You listened… you Really listened to me. You valued my opinion and you never judged me. We all know you were a great actor but my god you were a damn good father,” she wrote, sharing family photo album pics of childhood selfing being embraced by her father, who passed away from a longstanding pulmonary issue.
Read More: ‘This Is Us’ Actor...
On Wednesday, the “Hamilton” actress, who made history by becoming the first father-daughter duo to take home an Emmy alongside her father on the same night in 2020, shared a bundle of memories to Instagram in an homage to her late dad.
“Grief. This one is a battle. I keep looking at my phone wanting to call you and wanting to hear your voice. You listened… you Really listened to me. You valued my opinion and you never judged me. We all know you were a great actor but my god you were a damn good father,” she wrote, sharing family photo album pics of childhood selfing being embraced by her father, who passed away from a longstanding pulmonary issue.
Read More: ‘This Is Us’ Actor...
- 8/31/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
Ron Cephas Jones, the actor best known for his role on the NBC drama This is Us, has died at the age of 66.
A spokesperson for Jones stated that he died after a battle with a “long-standing pulmonary issue.”
“Ron’s inner beauty and soul were evident to the huge audience from his multi-Emmy-award-winning performance on This is Us,” they continued. “He was sweeter and deeper and greater even than any role he ever played. I’m so grateful to have been a part of his life.”
In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Jones shared that he had a double lung transplant procedure performed the previous year after developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Afterward, he spent two months at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles to relearn how to breathe, walk and eat.
Jones also mentioned that the cast and crew of This Is Us...
A spokesperson for Jones stated that he died after a battle with a “long-standing pulmonary issue.”
“Ron’s inner beauty and soul were evident to the huge audience from his multi-Emmy-award-winning performance on This is Us,” they continued. “He was sweeter and deeper and greater even than any role he ever played. I’m so grateful to have been a part of his life.”
In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Jones shared that he had a double lung transplant procedure performed the previous year after developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Afterward, he spent two months at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles to relearn how to breathe, walk and eat.
Jones also mentioned that the cast and crew of This Is Us...
- 8/22/2023
- by Alex Nguyen
- Uinterview
Emmy-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has died at age 66. Jones's representative confirmed the news to People on Aug. 19 in a statement that read in part: "Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue." In the wake of his passing, the actor's "This Is Us" family have paid tribute to Jones, who was best known for playing Randall Pearson's biological father, William Hill.
"Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him," the statement continued. "He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in 'Clyde's' on Broadway."
The statement concluded, "Ron's inner-beauty and soul was...
"Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him," the statement continued. "He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in 'Clyde's' on Broadway."
The statement concluded, "Ron's inner-beauty and soul was...
- 8/20/2023
- by Sabienna Bowman
- Popsugar.com
“This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman and several cast members of the drama series are paying tribute to Ron Cephas Jones, who died on Aug. 19 at age 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.
“A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on-screen, on stage, and in real life,” Fogelman wrote in a statement on X/Twitter. “The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect…”
A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on screen, on stage, and in real life. The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect… https://t.co/l5Ko9L...
“A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on-screen, on stage, and in real life,” Fogelman wrote in a statement on X/Twitter. “The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect…”
A massive loss. Ron was the best of the best – on screen, on stage, and in real life. The coolest. The easiest hang and laugh. And my God: what an actor. I don’t think I ever changed a single take of his in a cut… because everything he did was perfect… https://t.co/l5Ko9L...
- 8/20/2023
- by McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
Actor Susan Kelechi Watson is mourning the loss of her This Is Us costar Ron Cephas Jones following the news of his death on Saturday.
“It was really an instant gravitation,” Watson wrote of their relationship on Instagram. “Like anytime you were in the room I’d quickly make my way to you. Was it the New York energy, both of us getting a big break at the same time, the coolness, the swag, the stories of hardships and triumphs, the honesty, the laughter, the humor, the laughter, the laughter, the humor and the honesty. The genuiness. The freedom and...
“It was really an instant gravitation,” Watson wrote of their relationship on Instagram. “Like anytime you were in the room I’d quickly make my way to you. Was it the New York energy, both of us getting a big break at the same time, the coolness, the swag, the stories of hardships and triumphs, the honesty, the laughter, the humor, the laughter, the laughter, the humor and the honesty. The genuiness. The freedom and...
- 8/20/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Emmy Award winning actor Ron Cephas Jones, best known for his work in the highly acclaimed American drama series ‘This Is Us’ for playing William Hill, has died at the age of 66. A representative for the actor confirmed Jones’ death to People magazine on the night of August 19th (Pacific Standard Time).
Issuing a statement for the late actor, the representative said: “Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.”
“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him. He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway,” the statement continued.
Issuing a statement for the late actor, the representative said: “Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue.”
“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him. He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and his love for the stage was present throughout his entire career, including his recent Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performance for his role in Clyde’s on Broadway,” the statement continued.
- 8/20/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mandy Moore is joining Sterling K. Brown in paying tribute to their This Is Us costar Ron Cephas Jones following the news of his death on Saturday. He was 66 years old.
“Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of This Is Us was the greatest gift,” Moore wrote in a Instagram caption beneath a photo of the pair from their finale scene in the NBC drama series. She went on to say “he was pure magic as a human and an artist,” and an “intrinsic part of the fabric of the show.”
More from TVLineThis Is...
“Getting to know and work with Ron on the wild ride of This Is Us was the greatest gift,” Moore wrote in a Instagram caption beneath a photo of the pair from their finale scene in the NBC drama series. She went on to say “he was pure magic as a human and an artist,” and an “intrinsic part of the fabric of the show.”
More from TVLineThis Is...
- 8/20/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Ron Cephas Jones, the Emmy-winning actor who starred as the beloved William Hill on This Is Us, has died. He was 66.
“Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue,” a rep for Jones told People magazine in a statement confirming his death.
“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,” the statement read. “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets...
“Beloved and award-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones has passed away at the age of 66 due to a long-standing pulmonary issue,” a rep for Jones told People magazine in a statement confirming his death.
“Throughout the course of his career, his warmth, beauty, generosity, kindness and heart were felt by anyone who had the good fortune of knowing him,” the statement read. “He began his career at the Nuyorican Poets...
- 8/20/2023
- by Jodi Guglielmi
- Rollingstone.com
Ron Cephas Jones, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his role as William Hill in NBC's critically-acclaimed drama "This Is Us," has died at the age of 66. The news was confirmed by a representative for the actor, who released a statement to People attributing the "beloved and award-winning" actor's death to "a long-standing pulmonary issue." Jones had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Copd) and received a double lung transplant in 2020.
Jones began his acting career on the stage before landing guest roles on "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue." The '90s also saw him star in Bridgett M. Davis' indie movie "Naked Acts" and appear in Spike Lee's "He Got Game," but it was in 2016 that his star truly began to rise as he appeared in "Mr. Robot," "Luke Cage," "The Get Down," and, of course, "This Is Us."
In the NBC family drama, Jones played...
Jones began his acting career on the stage before landing guest roles on "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue." The '90s also saw him star in Bridgett M. Davis' indie movie "Naked Acts" and appear in Spike Lee's "He Got Game," but it was in 2016 that his star truly began to rise as he appeared in "Mr. Robot," "Luke Cage," "The Get Down," and, of course, "This Is Us."
In the NBC family drama, Jones played...
- 8/20/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
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