As much as we still cling to fairytale versions of love and romance— science and the real world love to come sweeping in. Reality has a way of shaking us out of our unrealistic stupors, forcing us to face real facts about the life partners that we choose and the journeys that we take. In their new sci-fi romance, ANYA, directors Jacob Akira Okada and Carylanna Taylor remind us that as much as we want to be in control of our own destinies — science and the universe have a way of knocking us down a peg.
The compelling drama follows Libby (Ali Ahn), a New York City-based journalist who falls head over heels in love with Marco (Gil Perez-Abraham). The polar opposite of the driven Libby, Marco is a quiet but compassionate man haunted by his past. After allowing Marco to break through the walls around her heart, the ambitious workaholic Libby decides to go all-in — marrying him and deciding she wants to start a family with him. However, after a series of miscarriages —Marco comes clean about his true origins and why his convoluted past may be the key to the couple's infertility issues.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, infertility is more common than one would imagine, and sadly many hopeful couples are given little to no information about the reasons behind it. Instead of laying the burden of their troubles solely on Marco and Libby's shoulders, Okada and Taylor do a deep dive into human genetics and anthropology.
When Libby turns to her ex-lover, Seymour (Motell Foster)—a geneticist for help, we learn about Marco's true origins. He comes from Narval, a fictional Caribbean community that is both physically and genetically isolated from the rest of humanity. The people of Narval are convinced that those who marry outside of their community are cursed with infertility. Working with scientists from Harvard and Carnegie Mellon University— the directors were adamant about giving Seymour's research some real-world weight to provide Libby and Marco some of the answers that they were desperately seeking.
An intriguing story with a diverse cast and a compelling subject matter, a great deal of ANYA works well. From the moment Libby and Marco approach Seymour to the slivers of Marco's past life that are slowly revealed -- the audience desperately tries to get to the root of Marco’s mysterious background and find a solution for the couple's future.
However, because of the relatively modest run time of the film — a great deal of ANYA felt rushed. From the second they encounter one another on the streets of New York, Marco and Libby's relationship is full speed ahead. Though that reads as romantic at times, it was also troubling— as it's obvious (to everyone except Libby) that Marco is withholding information from his wife.
Likewise, when we do finally encounter Marco's family and the rest of his Narval-born community, the audience doesn't get the payoff that they deserve. Narval’s customs and traditions are neither well explored or explained. Instead, it felt unsettling, with audience members racing to put things together quickly for themselves.
Despite its rapid pace, and some of the questions that remain unanswered as the final credits roll — ANYA, is a film for our time. As we continue to move about and exist in a rapidly deteriorating world, what does it mean for the generations that will follow? Will our bodies and our ability to survive and procreate in the present sustain? ANYA doesn't have all of the answers, but the story does remind us that as we look toward the future, we must remember we are much more alike and connected than we think.
ANYA will be available Nov. 26. ITUNES, AMAZON, GOOGLE PLAY, VIMEO, VUDU, XBOX & DVD
Images: Giant Pictures.