Anya (2019 film)

Anya (stylized as ANYA) is a 2019 science fiction film directed by Jacob Akira Okada and Carylanna Taylor. It features actors Ali Ahn, Gil Perez-Abraham, and Motell Gyn Foster. The film follows a couple struggling with infertility issues as they discover some unique genetic traits related to an immigrant group from the fictional island of Narval.[2]

Anya
Directed byJacob Akira Okada
Carylanna Taylor
Written byCarylanna Taylor
Jacob Akira Okada
Produced byStacey Davis
Jacob Akira Okada
Roger Schwartz
Carylanna Taylor
StarringAli Ahn
Gil Perez-Abraham
Motell Gyn Foster
CinematographyJacob Akira Okada
Edited byJacob Akira Okada
Carylanna Taylor
Music byJon Irabagon
Production
company
First Encounter Productions
Distributed byGiant Pictures
Release date
  • November 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Production

Anya revolves around the topics of genetics and anthropology, director Carylanna Taylor has a background as an anthropologist[3] and Harvard researcher Ruth McCole served as scientific consultant.[4] The genetic lab scenes in the film were shot in the real Dr. Andreas Pfenning’s genetics lab at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.[5]

Synopsis

Libby desperately wants a child, but has had trouble conceiving and has suffered multiple miscarriages. Her partner Marco believes that the issues stem from him, as he is convinced that he is suffering from an ancient curse that was placed on all of the people from his island. Nevertheless, he agrees to visit a geneticist with Libby to determine the issue. They are both shocked when they discover that the reason they cannot have children is because Marco's genetics differ to the point where he can be considered a different species. Each would be able to have a baby with their own kind, but together conceiving would be practically impossible.

Cast
  • Ali Ahn as Libby
  • Gil Perez-Abraham as Marco
  • Izzabella Timonera as Anya
  • Motell Gyn Foster as Dr. Seymour Livingston
  • Anthony Aguilar as Aquiles
  • Mary Theresa Archbold as Terry
  • Diego A. Arellano as Hector
  • Ana Maria Jomolca as Sara
  • Ana Kayne as Fausta
  • Olivia Oguma as Rika Endo
  • Barbara Rosenblat as Dr. Rosalind Pfenning

Critical reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Anya holds an approval rating of 93% based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[6] Film Inquiry called it "ambitious" and praised the chemistry between the main characters.[7] Film Frenzy found the film "intriguing" and also noted the performances, but found the score "unnecessary and overbearing".[8] Film Threat said Anya is "a good conversation starter at parties" in relation to its ideas about genetics and humanity but found the story frustrating at times.[9]

References
  1. Crombie, Zoe (November 29, 2019). "ANYA: An Ambitious Yet Low-Key Indie Sci-Fi". Film Inquiry.
  2. Amsen, Eva (2019-05-31). "Science and Diversity In Film: Behind The Scenes Of ANYA". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  3. Dixon, Jim (2019-12-19). "Jacob Akira Okada & Carlyanna Taylor Discuss The Future Of Families & ANYA". Film Inquiry. Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  4. Bernadskaya, Yelena (2019-03-14). "Interview with creators of 'ANYA,' a genetic mystery movie". AIPT. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  5. "Carnegie Mellon's Dr. Andreas Pfenning's Computational Bio Lab becomes "DR. SEYMOUR LIVINSTON'S" Evolutionary Genetics Lab". ANYA. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  6. "ANYA". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  7. Crombie, Zoe (2019-11-29). "ANYA: An Ambitious Yet Low-Key Indie Sci-Fi". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  8. "Anya: An Intriguing Indie". FILM FRENZY. 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  9. "Anya | Film Threat". 2019-11-25. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
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