I Origins: A Look Deep Into the Soul of Science

Sometimes I think I'm cursed.  I see an announcement for a film that looks interesting only to find out that it is available in limited number of theaters in a limited number of cities.  However, that doesn't dissuade me from letting you know about a film by Mike Cahill.  If you recall, Mike Cahill was the director and the co-writer of "Another Earth."  

Along with actress Brett Marling ("After Earth, "The Sound of My Voice," "The East"), they scripted  "An Another Earth"as an ambitious tale that blended drama and science fiction in a story of self realization and redemption.  

In "I Origins," Cahill is both director and the sole credit for writer. In the film he explores the relationship our how our beliefs in science and religion and he challenges the dogmatic views of both. 

The film focuses on molecular biologist Ian Gray played by Michael Pitt ("Seven Psychopaths"). He and his lab assistant Karen (Marling), research the human eye. Gray's goal in his research, besides the potential of correcting imperfections in the eye, is to explore the evolution of the eye in an effort to disprove the creationist's belief in Intelligent Design. 

Also staring in "I Origins" is "Walking Dead's" Steven Yeun. Playing Ian's love interest that sparks the his inspiration is Astrid Bergès-Frisbey.  Astrid played the character Syrena, the captured mermaid, in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"

In the trailers above, Ian Gray (Pitt) must deal with the profound lost of a loved one, and Karen (Marling) discusses with Gray the possibility that it might be possible that the eyes and the connections they have to the brain may hold genetic information that may actually have connections to what some call a soul.. In the third clip, linked here (they play one after another), Sofi (Bergès-Frisbey) and Ian discuss his research into the eye and how he plans on disproving God.  Sofie asks, "Why do you try so hard to disprove God?" Ian's reply "Who proved that God is there in the first place."

Fox Searchlight is opening "I Origins" in a few major cities across the nation. Take a moment and check the Limited Release schedule.  The film opens in these cities on July 18, 2014.

Movie Data

Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi

Year:  2014

Staring: Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Brit Marling 

Director: Mike Cahill

Producer(s): Mike Cahill, Hunter Gray, Hunter Gray

Writer: Mike Cahill

Rating: R

Running Time: 113 minutes

Release Date: 7/18/2014