I Origins (2014)

A molecular biologist and his laboratory partner uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it.

Director:

Mike Cahill

Writer:

Mike Cahill

Stars:

Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Pitt	...	Ian
Steven Yeun	...	Kenny
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey	...	Sofi
Brit Marling	...	Karen
Dorien Makhloghi	...	7-Eleven Attendant
Charles Woods Gray	...	Marriage Clerk (as Charles W. Gray)
John Schiumo	...	TV Anchor
Farasha Baylock	...	Posh Waitress
Ako	...	Nurse
Christopher Santamaria	...	Baby Tobias
Sebastian Santamaria	...	Baby Tobias
Cara Seymour	...	Dr. Simmons
Rhonda Ayers	...	Waitress
Crystal Dickinson	...	Julie Dairy (as Crystal Anne Dickinson)
Venida Evans	...	Margaret Dairy

Storyline

I Origins begins when graduate student, Ian Gray, is researching the evolution of human eyes with Karen and Kenny, in order to prove that eyes have evolved instead of "appeared" as creationists claim. His fascination with eyes takes him into areas that have profound personal and cultural consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

eye | evolution | reincarnation | elevator | eye identification | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity, and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The date Salomina's eyes were scanned into the system at the community center was on 11-3-2013 which sums up to 11.

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Goofs

As a scientist, Ian should have known that he invalidated Salomina's test by both being the tester and knowing the "correct" answers: his eye movement, body language, etc. could have provided clues to Salomina which images to choose. To be valid, the test should have been done "double-blind" with the tester not knowing the correct answers; ideally this would have been by Priya who had both Salomina's trust and no prior knowledge of Sofi.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ian: Every living person on this planet has their own unique pair of eyes. Each their own universe. My name is Doctor Ian Gray. I'm a father, and husband, and I'm a scientist. When I was a child, I realized that the camera was designed exactly like the human eye, taking in light through a lens, forming it into images. I began taking as many pictures of eyes as I possibly could. I'd like to tell you the story of the eyes that changed my world.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is a scene depicting the beginning of the process of matching up famous historical figures' eyes with living people's eyes.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jon Hamm/Brit Marling/Martha Stewart (2014)

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Soundtracks

La Traviata: Act 1: Un Di, Felice, Eterea (Alfredo, Violetta)
Composed by Francesco Maria Piave & Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Symfonický orchester Slovenského rozhlasu (as Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra)
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc.

User Reviews

Beautiful actors seeking answers to profound questions

What if Shakespeare got it right when he wrote:

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. - Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio

Actually, we know that Shakespeare did get it right. Science adds new discoveries and corrects old theories constantly as it progresses. What's this have to do with "I, Origins"? It's one of the main themes of the movie: What if there's more to the universe than what we can perceive with our senses. Ask any real scientist and you'll find out that the concept is hardly new or controversial. We can't directly perceive radio waves or x-rays yet we make use of them every day. Nevertheless, this movie approaches the topic in a way that makes this question, perhaps, easier to approach for non-scientists.

Similarly, the movie tackles the theme of science versus religion. This theme is played up a lot in contemporary press coverage and "I, Origins" tackles this question intelligently as well. Again, ask a scientist about science and religion and you will likely find out that there isn't really a conflict between the two. Science looks into how the universe works. Religion is concerned with why? "How" and "why" are two sides of the same coin.

The movie also explores the long-existing notion that we are in some way tied to certain individuals for all time. Soul mates, if you will. Don't ask a scientist about that one.

The main actors in "I, Origins" are young and beautiful. Even the lab rat, played by Brit Marling, who starred in director Mike Cahill's prior and debut film "Another Earth," cannot hide her exceptional beauty behind glasses and sweats or a pregnancy suit. So if you enjoy seeing beautiful people asking seemingly profound questions in interesting settings, this is your movie.

Like Cahill's "Another Earth," this movie probes profound questions about the human existence. It's beautifully shot (though I think it needs some more editing), well acted by attractive people, and in the end will probably get you thinking. If that sounds like a mystical experience and a good investment of two hours of your time, then this film's something you should see.

We saw this film as part of the Camera Cinema Club series in San Jose.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hindi

Release Date:

19 September 2014 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

I Origins

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,652, 20 July 2014

Gross USA:

$336,472

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$481,234

Company Credits

Production Co:

Verisimilitude, WeWork Studios, Bersin Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39:1