ORIGIN: A Discussion Between Director Ava DuVernay and CJS Dean Jelani Cobb

On Friday, January 19, Columbia Journalism School hosted Academy Award-nominee Ava DuVernay for one of the first public screenings of ORIGIN, her new film from ARRAY Filmworks.
From Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, ORIGIN explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future.
While investigating the global phenomenon of caste, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.

[@Scorpini]

“You can’t get to triumph if you don’t know what you’ve overcome.” Dammit Ava, I just LOVE your brain and heart!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@billiehicks6587]

There is nothing greater in our society than a ‘thinking woman.’❤

[@newdawn7586]

I saw this movie a few days ago while on vacation in South Carolina. I found out about this movie through the podcast Native Land. It was a heavy watch…but it’s a necessary watch. I cried quite a bit…the pool scene was awful. But I appreciate the work Miss Duverney put in for this film. Tell everyone you know to watch this film in a theater if you can.

[@clivedavis9454]

Ava continues to put out into the universe masterpiece works of art the true value of which I fear will not receive the real time recognition it deserves by the masses. As the father of two daughters being raised in an IG world, I truly appreciate focus on a woman protagonist as a thinker.

[@jonathanwexler2047]

Brilliant. I cried so hard watching this film it really got under my skin. This talk as a journalist is also fascinating for me. Thanks so much Ava and Dean Cobb.

[@pastortimmothy]

Ive seen most of the leading movies this year, this is HANDS DOWN the best. Its a shame it has not had more views.

[@leoniebrooks4313]

I saw this movie twice! So powerful and poignant. I cried both times 🥹🥰🙏🏾

[@n2shepp]

I just saw the movie tonight after seeing this video. I absolutely loved it.

[@cassandramccallum1283]

A Superb film, this is a movie that needs to shown in high schools and colleges throughout the USA.
I cried throughout this movie, and it was so powerful! I was inspired to purchase Isabel Wilkerson’s two books; her in-depth research and storytelling are phenomenal. Ava DuVerney’s ability to translate the book “Caste” into this film is incredible. She takes the viewer into each scene and emotes deep emotions. Origins is a gripping work of cinematic art. It has come at another difficult time in our human journey, and I pray it will change our path forward. “A bridge out of darkness!”

[@mxyzptlk...]

I saw this in theaters last weekend. None of this information was new to me, but the film was a laudable effort.

[@carolynaskew9734]

Where ever the Caste system exists it is not meant for the greater good. After watching this film I tend to see it more than I did before in a lot of institutions for dominance. Great film.❤

[@dibebrown8645]

Such an amazing flim

[@ourblackgaydiaspora]

What a great interview with a dynamic and intelligent creative visionary!

[@michaelmcgill-davis8625]

Isabel Wilkerson is the real icon folks. She's the journalistic genius of our time.

[@lisamurray2662]

Superb ✨

[@LtheGoddess7]

Jelani's question definition at the end! 😆

[@reneerasul3347]

I loved it! I was at an event once and they collected the questions, chose a few and gave them to the moderator who named the questioner, had them stand and wave but the moderator read the question. I thought that was a great idea... because people don't know the difference between a question and a statement and a durn soliloquy! 😂

[@LegacyBridge]

I love the conversation but I keep hearing Ava mention that Aunjanue Ellis - Taylor wasn't a lead in a major motion picture. Does major mean that independent films don't count? What budget amount is being considered with this statement?
Ellis - Taylor was the lead in "Cover" directed by Bill Duke around 2004-2005. I was there when it was released in Miami.

[@dilawar_ambedkar]

Thanks @ava

[@ayejay8862]

I appreciated the parts portraying family ties and dealing with the mortality of family, more than the main point, which seems to be a call to use "caste" instead of "racism" as a way to unite human oppression and suffering on a broader scale (not "just what black folks experience"). That part to me felt more a linguistics-based argument - semantics, if you will - and also politically driven. It had some great moments, for sure, but the main argument/theory is just okay. I have a few counter-arguments, but it's a comments section, not a dissertation, so....

[@vernonmurphy7945]

I am 15 sec into this video and the lady pronounced Ava's last name incorrectly.....NOT COOL!

[@patriciarobinson7579]

She’s human

[@LegacyBridge]

Is Origin not an independent film?

[@LegacyBridge]

She answered this at the end.

[@dilawar_ambedkar]

Jay Bhim - Jai Bhim

[@Bluejacket4life2]

Why Columbia?

[@TruOmilade]

What makes you ask?

[@Thefrmgallery]

Why not?

[@marvinbryson7950]

Dean Cobb invited her...