“Every living person on this planet has their own unique pair of eyes”

Could the eyes truly be the window to the soul?

A molecular biologist, Ian Adam (Michael Pitt) is researching the evolution of eyes and makes a discovery that could have far reaching consequences to humanity’s understanding of life as it is currently seen.

Science and spirituality have long been at odds with each other, one based in factual proof and the other takes its evidence from faith. It seems that nowadays the gab between the two subjects is decreasing. If you look to the Hindu scriptures there is a lot of science there as there is in the Torah and many other religions but are often ignored by modern day scientists, as the proof has not been studied or proven in a controlled environment.

Mike Cahill directs his second feature with I Origins and, as with Another Earth the lines between science and spiritual are beautifully blurred. Here, the interplay between critical thinking and religion, logic and faith is wonderfully explored.

When Karen (Brit Marling) joins the molecular research team she starts an study to find out if non-seeing creatures can be given eyes/sight, this leads to some incredible findings and takes us on this journey that asks some serious questions. Ian (the reliably interesting Pitt) takes pictures of eyes as part of his work and becomes obsessed with one girl’s eyes that belongs to a mysterious girl he has recently met and goes on a journey to find her again. The owner of the said eyes is Sofi (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) a beautiful, ethereal model and her performance is filled with a deep knowledge of the other, the spirit.

Brit Marling is no stranger to these types of films, she is obviously fiercely intelligent and chooses her roles carefully. We’ve recently seen her in ‘Sound of My Voice’ and (also directed by Mike Cahill) ‘Another Earth’, two fascinating films that also ask big questions about humanity.

Support comes from Steven Yuen (The Walking Dead) and Archie Punjabi (East is East) and they infuse their performances with intelligence and presence.

The soundtrack is put together by Will Bates & Phil Mossman and is both haunting and beautiful and is definitely worth a listen:

This exploration of big philosophical themes and ideas; the idea of God, reincarnation, life after death and love across time, all come together in this fascinating film.

4/5

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