LOS ANGELES — Filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s latest film, “Origin,” has made its theatrical debut, offering a compelling narrative inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s nonfiction historical text, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”

The film intricately weaves together the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany, drawing parallels with the Black experience in America.

DuVernay, the celebrated filmmaker behind “Selma,” and “A Wrinkle in Time,” shared that her inspiration for “Origin,” emerged in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder when she found solace and reason in Wilkerson’s book.

“I picked up the book in a state of really trying to organize my thoughts about the world and my place in it, and it really animated my ideas about justice, dignity and humanity,” DuVernay said. “I tried to set out to make it into a film.”

Despite initial skepticism from critics, DuVernay successfully translated the complex text into a narrative by following Wilkerson’s research journey. At a screening of the film at the Museum of Tolerance, she received a standing ovation — certainly not the first of her career, but definitely a notable one for a film that is virtually unprecedented. 

“Origin” stands out not only for its narrative depth but also for its independent funding model.

DuVernay secured funding through philanthropic organizations, foundations and private donors. 

And while DuVernay acknowledges and is pleased to be one of the first narrative films to be funded in this way — it’s a method usually utilized by documentaries — she doesn’t know if it will become the industry trend.

“I do know that our industry is shifting. That there’s a deep consolidation of all of these major corporations that is making it harder and harder to assert the auteur’s voice and we’re going to have to find new ways as artists to survive,” she said. “The model was really steeped in reaching out to like-minded organizations and philanthropic organizations to use their monies, their donations, their funds to actually make a piece of art. Make film that can be transformative, that can be a tool for their mission. So that’s what we did with this.”

On the chatter about whether the film could compete in a world of Marvel movies and flashy blockbuster titles, DuVernay remains unphased. 

“I disagree with the idea that we’ve kind of lost the soul and the courage in films. I think it’s always been there. The other kinds of films are a lot louder. But films that are about something are still around, and they’re not going anywhere,” she said.

Independent funding also granted her the freedom to make careful and purposeful choices, such as assembling a cast that she has acknowledged might not have received approval from traditional studios. 

The film stars Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, recently minted Emmy-winner Niecy Nash-Betts, and Jon Bernthal. 

Ellis-Taylor, who portrays Isabel Wilkerson, praised the author whom she watched and researched in order for her to step into the role comfortably. 

“She’s such a brilliant writer, and her brilliance comes from making academic work, journalistic work accessible to regular people like me,” Taylor said. 

She also praises her character’s bravery.

“I think Isabel is a little bit of a hero. I think more than a little bit. I see her as a little bit of a marvel hero. You know, she just doesn’t wear a cape,” she said.

The effectiveness of DuVernay’s commitment to cinematic courage and storytelling, and Ellis-Taylor’s poignant portrayal is evident in the throngs of people that approach them at The Museum of Tolerance after a Q&A, some with words of thanks, others with tears in their eyes.   

This is what the work is about for DuVernay — making art that makes people think and feel. 

“They don’t always have to be kind of social justice films or important films writ large,” she said. “But anything that you see that makes you think about yourself, who you are, how you feel, how you treat yourself and other people is really the magic of cinema.”

“Origin” is in theaters now.