Skinned

Skinned is a compelling drama released in 2015 which explores the socio-cultural challenges and stigmas related to skin color and identity in black societies. Following the life of Jolie, played by renowned actress Jasmine Burke, the film scrutinizes the concept of skin bleaching and its effects on an individual and the perceptions of society. Jasmine Burke gives a thought-provoking performance, driving the narrative with a strong emotional trajectory.

Directed by Lisa Ray, Skinned showcases her superb narrative leading skills, demonstrating her ability to etch out powerful and engaging performances from her ensemble cast that includes Jasmine Burke, Van Vicker, and Drew Sidora. The film showcases Ray’s craftmanship in handling a sensitive and meaningful subject like skin bleaching from the perspective of a melanin-rich woman who goes to massive lengths to change her skin color due to societal pressure.

Jolie is a vivacious, confident woman who creates a successful career in the modeling industry. However, she falls prey to the societal definition of beauty, which invariably leads her down a treacherous path of skin bleaching. This decision drastically affects her life as she responded to real and perceived societal pressures connected to colorism. The transformation is highlighted through her interactions with her family, friends, business associates, and love interests, revealing the societal pressures she felt to be light-skinned.

Van Vicker plays the character of Michael, a charismatic young man deeply in love with Jolie. Michael effortlessly portrays the patience, understanding, and unconditional love towards Jolie, even when her decision to bleach her skin creates emotional and physical distance.

Drew Sidora plays Clarice, Jolie's moral compass and best friend, who in her own unique way, tries to guide her away from making more negative life choices. Through this relationship, the movie explores the fraught nature of friendship in the face of societal judgment and personal transformations.

Skinned delves into the psychological aspect of the black community, touching upon the 'color complex' and the negative impact it has on various people. It is a struggle between societal norms and expectations of beauty, identity, acceptance, and self-love. The movie gradually provides a comprehensive view of the protagonist's journey down the rabbit hole of harmful beauty practices, and then her attempts to climb back into acceptance and peace.

The narrative explores the effect of beauty standards on individuals and how these standards force people, especially women, to surpass certain health boundaries that damage both their physical and mental state. Simultaneously, the movie doesn't forget to showcase the redeeming aspect of the narrative by highlighting the courage it takes to confront the world with one's truth.

The film is rich in a detailed screenplay that immerses audiences into the world of Jolie, showcasing the vibrant urban landscapes, fast-paced fashion industry's life, and the stark contrast between the heroine's initial nonchalance and her subsequent realization and vulnerability. The camera angles, cut-offs, color palettes, and engaging soundtrack serve to accentuate the film's mood, from a fast-paced, glamorous world to an emotional and introspective path.

Skinned manages to open a conversation about an often unspoken and controversial topic, making it a must-watch for those in the black community and beyond. It's a thought-provoking and heart-touching narrative that battles with the dark side of beauty norms and beauty's subjective nature. Through its exploration of physical and psychological self-harm, it invites the audience to examine their own preconceived notions of beauty and the lengths one might go to fit within societal norms of aesthetic.

To conclude, Skinned is a well-crafted, emotionally impacting movie that adds a unique perspective to the conversation about societal beauty standards. The film presents an essential critique of contemporary beauty norms, but it also illuminates the path towards self-acceptance and individuality, making it much more than just a statement – it's a call to action.