Origin

The acting is all really quite adequate here, but it's not really that important to the fascinating underlying premiss that underpins the theory that race, in itself, might not be the reason for the hierarchical nature of a society that always manages to create sub-classes. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor offers her own engaging perspective on author Isabel Wilkerson who is invited by a publisher to offer a more considered and less reactionary appraisal of race relations following the murder of a young black man who just happened to be in the wrong place (a white neighbourhood) at the wrong time. The audience know full well from the outset what has happened here, so that's not especially important to the plot either - it's her search for a rationale. That search attempts to draw parallels between the plight of the African American citizenry with the victims of Holocaust and of the system of caste that prevails in India. By spending a section of the film in Germany and then in India, we are exposed to a more internationalist view of just why society is made up of the have lots, the haves and the have nots - and at just how little much of that has changed for centuries. The comparison she develops works surprisingly convincingly, if not without it's flaws, and Ellis-Taylor acts well as a sort of sponge for the philosophies that emerge. The one element that it rather studiously avoids is religion. That isolation does rather compromise the authenticity of any conclusion as it doesn't acknowledge that so often the behaviour and structures of cultures are dictated by those atop them in some form of priesthood - whether they be Brahmin or Cardinal. There are a few familial sub-plots to add a bit of drama to the story, but I found them a little unnecessary as the theory elaborates more. It does come from a very specific American perspective - I'd be interested to see how it might turn out if it were to be remade from a Jewish or Indian point of view, but as it is - it's a thoughtful exercise in what makes human strata function and endure.

Great movie but the author and/or director completely forgot or ignored the plight and treatment native Americans from them caste hypothesis/equation, Seriously!? Why?

I would think Native Americans should have given some sort acknowledgment from origin standpoint as they were first to be "casted" prior to African Americans.

I haven't read the book, but the movie does feel like abrupt in trying to connect and transition amongst different story lines or historical situations.

Then summarization in the end is just beautifully done. But movies felt too dense and compact in terms of content as the authors personal life events and challenges were being tried to intertwined hit socially and racial complexities.

This movie is so vital and so important and everyone needs to see it! It is so important to realize how connected all of us are!! How all of our issues and struggles and history are so similar! This movie is beautiful and brilliant and heartbreaking and honest! I hate that the world is this way! I hate that humanity has made the world this way. We could've had a better world. We could've had a loving and kind society and world. Everyone needs to see this movie and needs to read this book! Everything ia connected! Everything! I hope this movie is shown is classrooms and universities and on TV's all around the world!

This movie is beautiful and powerful. It is biopic about the author of the book Caste - which is a nonfiction book about the Caste system and how it is still used today to dehumanize and subjugate people. As she writes and researches the book she makes discoveries along the way as she makes trips to Germany and India to dig into the connections between slavery in America, the people once called the "Untouchables" in India, and the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. It is hard to watch sometimes because it isn't afraid to out the acts of injustice right in your face. Is it subtle? No. Is it half documentary - sometimes with people writing on white boards while reading you sections of a book - yes. It's not a regular "movie" - it's something different than what you're used to. But if you're not moved by it I don't know what's wrong with you. It's like a biopic crossed with a documentary that isn't afraid to feel or sympathize.

I just happened upon this movie as I usually do with movies. I was so delightfully surprised. What an important issue to cast light upon. Casting was perfect. This is definitely an intelligent watch. The producer/directors did not need to get flashy to get their point across, instead, they did it with great writing/screenplay and some gut wrenching moments. I love the intelligent conversations that were had by the characters as well as the flashbacks of the characters who were extremely affected by the caste system. I highly recommend this for anyone who is looking to learn something and also watch a good movie.