Ava DuVernay Parties With Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, David Oyelowo & More For "Origin" Film

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Threads Celebrates Ava DuVernay's film ORIGIN and Black Awards Contenders
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Colman Domingo, Ava DuVernay and Danielle Brooks attend Threads celebration of Ava DuVernay's film ORIGIN and Black Awards Contenders at Sunset Tower Hotel on January 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Threads)
The filmmaker's latest movie was praised by her peers, including Danielle Brooks, Sarunas Jackson, Gabrielle Dennis, Laz Alonso, and Jeffrey Wright.

While her latest film, Origin, encompasses a more somber tone, Ava DuVernay was all smiles as she celebrated the feature. Origin arrived a month ago, on December 8, but the film remains a hot topic among cinephiles. DuVernay's illustrious filmography spans movies focusing on Black culture, community, racism, and injustice—and Origin isn't for the weak.

Origin is based on Isabel Wilkerson’s bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. The Pulitzer Prize winner released her much-talked-about book in 2020, which centers on her personal journey. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Wilkerson in the biographical film that begins with the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Likening racism to India's caste system, DuVernay, through her lens and a cast of characters, weaves through cultural experiences from the Holocaust to the Slave Trade, and examines the links between Nazi Germany and American laws. Although the film may be on the heavier end of the spectrum, audiences praised DuVernay's latest efforts.

Threads Celebrates Ava DuVernay's film ORIGIN and Black Awards Contenders
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Threads celebration of Ava DuVernay's film ORIGIN and Black Awards Contenders at Sunset Tower Hotel on January 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Threads)

Among the applause are celebrated actors and industry professionals who joined the filmmaker at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood, Calif., last night. Threads hosted the event and also celebrated Black actors who are contenders this award season. Guests included Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTayna Ricardson Jackson, The Color Purple's Colan Domingo, Danielle Brooks, and Taraji P. Henson; Insecure's Sarunas Jackson; American Fiction's Jeffrey Wright; David Oyelowo, Laz Alonso, Gabrielle Dennis, and legendary actor Glynn Turman, among others.

Watch the trailer for Origin below and skim through a few highlights from the evening.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.