Ava DuVernay's 'Origin' Receives Rapturous 6-Minute Ovation at Venice
Ava DuVernay's film "Origin," based on Isabel Wilkerson's book "Caste: The Origin of Our Discontent," premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a standing ovation and left audience members in tears. The film weaves together Wilkerson's life story with depictions of the Holocaust, slavery, and India's caste system. Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, and others, the film marks DuVernay's first time premiering at Venice and makes her the first African American woman to compete for the Golden Lion. Despite being discouraged from applying to the festival in the past, DuVernay hopes her success opens doors for other Black filmmakers. "Origin" has been acquired by Neon and will be released in U.S. theaters later this year.