Niecy Nash Talks Her Role in New Film 'Origin'

*Ava DuVernay’s newest film “Origin“ is a tearjerker that will leave you transformed by love! The film (featuring Niecy Nash) explores the differences and similarities between racism and a caste system, and the experiences we have in the Black community – the good and the bad.

One of them is the relationship we have with our cousins. A relationship that doesn’t get enough credit. A relationship that can be just as strong and significant as a sibling relationship. We spoke with Nash about her role and the importance of that relationship in the Black community.

“It’s so important. That’s the person you can share a lot of your secrets with, who you spend the most time with growing up. It’s that familiar thing like, we are family!” said Nash.

This film is the adaptation of the New Times best-seller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents written by Isabel Wilkerson.

ORIGIN - the new film featuring Niecy Nash - (photo cred: Atsushi Nishijima/Courtesy NEON) — ORIGIN (photo cred: Atsushi Nishijima/Courtesy NEON)

During the time of the Trayvon Martin tragedy Wilkerson was approached by an old editor of hers to write a piece about the events that were taking place during this time. She questioned could this situation truly be about race when the situation involved a Latino man and a Black boy. This led Wilkerson to research a term or system that most of us may not be familiar with. The caste system is described as a hierarchy in a society. The discovery of this ideology has led to the subject of Wilkerson’s next book. She begins to research the disparities those in a lower class system experience in different cultures around the world.

As she now has a deadline to complete her book she is faced with personal tragedy back to back. While her focus should be on her work Wilkerson has to deal with the grief of losing her mother and husband within a year. But she isn’t alone during this time, she has her cousin and best friend Marion Wilkerson, played by Nash. As her family, Marion was right by Isabel’s side as she delved into a project that was already going to be emotionally draining.

Origin is a Shakespearean work of art from DuVernay. She balances a great tragedy and love – with the significance of love sneaking up to be the star of the show.

Origin will be in theaters on January 19th.