Origin12A

Directed by Ava DuVernay | USA | 2023 | 2h 21m | Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Nick Offerman, Niecy Nash, Emily Yancy

Isabel Wilkerson, already recognised as the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her journalism, begins research on her new book: an examination of the origins of racial injustice. During her global travels, she delves into historical and contemporary caste structures, all while confronting her own personal tragedies. Oscar-winning director Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th) skilfully transforms Wilkerson’s non-fiction narrative into a compelling drama, presenting a poignant portrayal of the lasting trauma inflicted by discrimination.

Reviews

‘Wilkerson’s book offers a new way to look at age-old concepts. DuVernay’s film gives us a new way to process them.’
★★★★
Elizabeth Weitzman, Time Out

‘It is in the comparisons between quotidian grief and systemic bigotry, weaving Isabel’s personal experience with the politics of her job and the history she must reckon with, in which Origin is the most impressive.’
★★★★
Steph Green, BBC

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Origin between April 12, 2024 and April 18, 2024.

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What else is on?

Today (Thursday 8th October)

21:00

MISSNOMA Women’s DJ Collective N/A
The Oxford-based women’s DJ collective MISSNOMA, is joining forces with the UPP cinema to hold a unique listening-room session featuring DJs Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani, Lily London, and Martha, powered by Oxford-based FLOW soundsystem.

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Tomorrow (Friday 9th October)

14:00

De Gaulle: Liberté 15
2h 39m | French w/ English subtitles
June 1940: France has fallen and signed an armistice with Germany. With no army, no backing and little hope, General de Gaulle gambles everything to convince the world France's fight isn't over. Part two of Antonin Baudry's historical epic.

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17:30

Sense and Sensibility U
2h 12m
Mrs Dashwood and her daughters lose their Sussex home to her stepson and move to a Devon cottage, finding love and heartbreak. Georgia Oakley (Blue Jean) directs Jane Austen's story, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Fiona Shaw and George MacKay.

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20:30

Babystar 12A
1h 38m | German w/ English subtitles
Luca has been an influencer since birth, and her parents live off her income. As they consider having another child, performing for strangers starts to break her. Maja Bons gives a breakout performance in Joscha Bongard's unsettling debut.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!