The Origin (film)

The Origin is a 2022 British horror film directed by Andrew Cumming in his feature length debut and starring Safia Oakley-Green and Chuku Modu. The film was nominated for five awards at the 2023 British Independent Film Awards, winning best breakthrough performance for Oakley-Green. The film had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on October 6, 2022.

The Origin
Directed byAndrew Cumming
Screenplay byRuth Greenberg
Produced by
  • Oliver Kassman
  • Wendy Griffin
Starring
CinematographyBen Fordesman
Edited byPaolo Pandolpho
Music byAdam Janota Bzowski
Production
companies
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Escape Plan
  • Selkie Productions
Release date
  • 6 October 2022 (2022-10-06) (London)
Running time
87 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

45,000 years ago a stone-age community is trying to defend itself against a mysterious enemy.[2]

Cast

Production

Speaking to Screen Daily in 2021, Cumming called the project “a paleolithic horror film”. He had first discussed the idea for the film with producer Oliver Kassman in 2015 and the pair invited Ruth Greenberg on board to script the project.[3]

The film was produced by Kassman for Escape Plan and executive produced by David Kaplan and Sam Intili on behalf of Animal Kingdom. It was co-produced by Wendy Griffin of Selkie Productions. Financing came from Screen Scotland and the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.[4]

Principal photography took place during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in November 2020 around Gairloch in Scotland. The production company hired out the Gairloch Hotel and all filming took place within a mile of the venue.[5]

Release

The Origin had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.[6] The film has its Scotland premiere on March 5, 2023 as part of the 2023 Glasgow Film Festival.[7] In May 2023, it was reported that Bleecker Street acquired North American rights and were planning a theatrical release on an unspecified date.[8]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of seven critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10.[9]

Accolades

The film received multiple nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, including best debut director for Cumming, best breakthrough for Oakley-Green, best music for Adam Janota Bzowski, best hair and make up for Niamh Morrison, and best debut screenplay for Ruth Greenberg.[10] Safia Oakley-Green won the British Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performance on the night.[11]

References
  1. "'The Origin': London Review". Screen Daily.
  2. "Buzzy Stone Age Horror 'The Origin' Tells Timeless Tale of Human Brutality, Unveils First Clip (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  3. "Stars of Tomorrow 2021: Andrew Cumming (director)". Screen Daily.
  4. "Andrew Cumming feature debut The Origin wraps shoot in Scottish Highlands". Screen.Scot.
  5. "Andrew Cumming on his Highlands-set horror film The Origin: 'You get one chance to have a big swing'". The Scotsman.
  6. "London Film Festival Review: Andrew Cumming's The Origin". Deadline Hollywood.
  7. "Full programme announced for the 2023 Glasgow Film Festival". Screen.Scot.
  8. Ravindran, Manori (May 15, 2023). "Bleecker Street Buys Stone Age Thriller The Origin (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. "The Origin". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  10. "British Independent Film Awards: Debut Movies 'Aftersun,' 'Blue Jean' Lead Nominations". Hollywood Reporter.
  11. "'Aftersun' shines as big winner of 2022 Bifas". Screen Daily.
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