Anya (2019 film)
| Anya | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jacob Akira Okada Carylanna Taylor |
| Written by | Carylanna Taylor Jacob Akira Okada |
| Produced by | Stacey Davis Jacob Akira Okada Roger Schwartz Carylanna Taylor |
| Starring | Ali Ahn Gil Perez-Abraham Motell Gyn Foster |
| Cinematography | Jacob Akira Okada |
| Edited by | Jacob Akira Okada Carylanna Taylor |
| Music by | Jon Irabagon |
Production company | First Encounter Productions |
| Distributed by | Giant Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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]
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
- ^ Crombie, Zoe (November 29, 2019). "ANYA: An Ambitious Yet Low-Key Indie Sci-Fi". Film Inquiry. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Amsen, Eva (May 31, 2019). "Science and Diversity In Film: Behind The Scenes Of ANYA". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Dixon, Jim (December 19, 2019). "Jacob Akira Okada & Carlyanna Taylor Discuss The Future Of Families & ANYA". Film Inquiry. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Bernadskaya, Yelena (March 14, 2019). "Interview with creators of 'ANYA,' a genetic mystery movie". AIPT. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ "Carnegie Mellon's Dr. Andreas Pfenning's Computational Bio Lab becomes "DR. SEYMOUR LIVINSTON'S" Evolutionary Genetics Lab". ANYA. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ "ANYA". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on February 26, 2026. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Crombie, Zoe (November 29, 2019). "ANYA: An Ambitious Yet Low-Key Indie Sci-Fi". Film Inquiry. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Anya: An Intriguing Indie". FILM FRENZY. November 26, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Anya | Film Threat". November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.