The Man Who Sold His Skin

Name: The Man Who Sold His Skin
Genre: Drama
Released: April 2, 2021
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Christian Vadim, Darina Al Joundi, Dea Liane, Jan Dahdoh, Koen De Bouw

2021

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

See All

6.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Man Who Sold His Skin (US Trailer 1)

Now Playing: The Man Who Sold His Skin (US Trailer 1)

Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Films | Release Date: April 2, 2021 | Not Rated

Starring: Christian Vadim, Darina Al Joundi, Dea Liane, Jan Dahdoh, Koen De Bouw, Marc de Panda, Monica Bellucci, Najoua Zouhair, Saad Lostan, Yahya Mahayni

Summary: Sam Ali, a young sensitive and impulsive Syrian, left his country for Lebanon to escape the war. To be able to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life, he accepts to have his back tattooed by one of the World’s most sulfurous contemporary artist. Turning his own body into a prestigious piece of art, Sam will however come toSam Ali, a young sensitive and impulsive Syrian, left his country for Lebanon to escape the war. To be able to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life, he accepts to have his back tattooed by one of the World’s most sulfurous contemporary artist. Turning his own body into a prestigious piece of art, Sam will however come to realize that his decision might actually mean anything but freedom.… Expand

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 104 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Bob Strauss

Apr 8, 2021

The Man Who Sold His Skin may not be entirely believable, but its many great metaphors for multiple social ills create their own, withering truth. The film doesn’t ask us to turn our gaze away from the world’s ugly realities, but to see them in the very handsome images they inspired Ben Hania to make. Read full review

Sarah Ward

Mar 16, 2021

It’s the central performance by feature first-timer Mahayni that best demonstrates the picture’s overall charms. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Apr 9, 2021

The Man Who Sold His Skin, from Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, hits some ominous and sinister notes as it tangles with serious political and social issues, among them the plight of refugees, the nature of art and exploitation, and various facets of self-loathing. But it ends on a surprisingly airy note, and that makes all the difference. Read full review

Jenny Nulf

Apr 7, 2021

Tunisia’s first Oscar-nominated film, The Man Who Sold His Skin, is an emulsion of ideas, each as ambitiously thought-provoking as the next. Read full review

Derek Smith

Mar 30, 2021

Art, commerce, and immigration are inextricably bound in Kaouther Ben Hania’s playful and gently moving, if uneven, film. Read full review

Nicolas Rapold

Apr 1, 2021

The lustrously shot movie breaks Sam out of the gallery grind through Hollywood-grade somersaults in storytelling (one of them so breezily violent as to feel a little tasteless) Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Oct 15, 2021

The supposedly important themes of immigrants and Syria are cancelled by its naive flippancy. Read full review

SEE ALL 16 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Apr 12, 2021

Chilling, satirical and full of irony, this contemporary drama about selling one's soul for an alleged sense of freedom only to find oneself more restrained than ever spins a captivating and thought-provoking tale. When a Syrian refugee seeks to flee his wartorn homeland for a new life inChilling, satirical and full of irony, this contemporary drama about selling one's soul for an alleged sense of freedom only to find oneself more restrained than ever spins a captivating and thought-provoking tale. When a Syrian refugee seeks to flee his wartorn homeland for a new life in Europe with his soul mate, he makes a questionable deal with a famous but sinister artist, granting him access to the skin on his back to create a living work of tattoo art, a contract fraught with consequences beyond anything he ever imagined. Director Kaouther Ben Hania's second narrative feature serves up an array of intriguing and incisive insights and observations on a variety of social, political and economic issues, particularly the treatment of individuals more as commodities than as living beings. The script's deft mixture of macabre, witty and profound elements provides an entertaining and engaging combination that will keep viewers glued to the screen right up to its twist-filled conclusion. A most worthy contender for this year's Oscar for best international feature.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

bertobellamy

Feb 5, 2022

Ok, director Kaouther Ben Hania sure had good intentions, but I think 'The Man Who Sold his Skin' is a misfire.

Although Sam — a Syrian refugee who sells his back to a renowned artist to turn it into a work of art, so he can travel to Europe and meet his lover — is a very charismaticOk, director Kaouther Ben Hania sure had good intentions, but I think 'The Man Who Sold his Skin' is a misfire.

Although Sam — a Syrian refugee who sells his back to a renowned artist to turn it into a work of art, so he can travel to Europe and meet his lover — is a very charismatic protagonist, his journey feels offensive to Syrian people. Ben Hania trivializes the suffering of a society at war with a cruel satire about a guy who, later, craves the "freedom" he had back home. The main problem with it is that the story forgets that thousands of men and women are still fleeing the country in search of real freedom. 'The Man Who Sold His Skin' completely forgets about it.

The film, of course, criticizes exploitation, but, slowly, becomes exactly what is pointing at: taking advantage of those who cannot defend themselves. Also, Ben Hania's screenplay struggles at developing other characters. Abeer, Sam's lover, is just an accessory to the plot; and Jeffrey, the artist, solely explains to the public what the story is all about. Oh, and there's a Monica Bellucci jumpscare.

In my opinion, only 'Another Round' and 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' deserved the Academy Award nomination for Best International Film last year. I really would love to know what Syrian refugees think of this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS