I Origins

(49th KVIFF) This sci-fi movie is so non-conflicting that it’s almost unsuited for the festival. It’s the story of a molecular biologists whose research proofs the ungodly origin of the human eye, so that further research can then challenge this finding. The film doesn’t demand much from the viewer, never falls into a scientific rant or into deep philosophical speeches, even though it does have room for that. It’s well made, the story is interesting overall, even though it feels a bit too implausible and naive at times (for instance, the Indian woman who identifies a girl by a photo of an eye, even though she says she hasn’t seen her for several months). That said, in the middle of the bustle of the festival, I Origins felt like a pleasant rest and I was excited immediately after the screening, though the feeling fizzled out after some time. And yet, a nice four-star rating, the ending is very strong emotionally. (12/07/2014)

Recently, a relatively large number of interesting sci-fi works have been emerging, which don't rely so much on how sci-fi can be opulent and full of special effects, but rather on the idea itself. In this case, the idea exists, but I had a feeling that before the creators got to it, too much time had passed. Unfortunately, the ending is more emotional than anything else, and it didn't grab me as much as I would have liked. (09/12/2014)

I Origins deftly blends the popular "I fucking love science" idea of good-looking scientists in brightly lit labs writing in marker on windows facing the majesty of the autumnal Brooklyn Bridge with Instagram muckety-mucks, earbuds, NYC apartments, public transportation, and the constant feeling that it's six in the morning. It's probably already clear from this compilation that the science here comes in thirty-ninth place, and we're not really looking at anything higher/lower than a spiritual and rather fatalistic romance made by a man I probably wouldn't have much to talk about with, but would love to watch at work. That whole trendy Eastern philosophical plane is of course inexcusable... but wait... It's a sci-fi after all! (14/01/2015)

I wasn’t expecting that much of a surprise. This is an absolute hit that is well filmed, well-acted and excellently written. The dialogues are realistic, the characters fully believable and the story, the main motif of which is the clash of materialistic and spiritual thinking, almost shocks with its thoughtfulness and intelligence. The charming and touching plot is actually simple, but it is done with surgical precision. It is a pity that the trailer reveals three-quarters of the film, as the plot is not very predictable and the film manages to keep its focus up to the halfway point (a similar theme was looked at perfectly, for example, in The Cloud Atlas). Definitely wait for the full ending after the closing credits; otherwise, you will miss the cute point. (01/07/2014)

It's not enough to read about this, this you must see. The way I Origins is shot, and the way the twists and turns occur here, is in a word, breathtaking. The ideas on which the film is based are presented to the viewer in such a simple yet compelling way that they begin to make sense to you and you don't doubt their reality. The cast is no less exceptional. For a film like this, it's great to have some new faces, as it makes the viewer focus more on the plot. My thoughts on this settled a bit during the night and I am raising my rating to full stars. (24/08/2015)