The Man Who Sold His Skin

The Man Who Sold His Skin is a stirring drama film directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. The film is a potent hybrid of social satire, love story, and an exploration of the art world's moral ambivalence. It premiered at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, in the Horizons section, and has bagged numerous awards since, including the Best Actor award for Yahya Mahayni. Further recognition includes a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.

The plot follows the life of Sam Ali (played by Yahya Mahayni), a young Syrian man who flees from his war-torn country. Sam's journey acquires an extraordinary twist as he inescapably finds himself in Lebanon, fighting an emotional and geographical battle. A chance meeting with a controversial artist, played by Koen De Bouw, takes Sam on a journey far beyond his wildest imagination. With a skilful blend of thought-provoking themes and strong character development, the movie keeps the viewer engrossed throughout its run time.

The protagonist, Sam Ali, is caught in a situation of political unrest and individual freedom, mirroring the real-world conditions that many refugees find themselves in today. Sam is in love with a woman named Abeer (played by Dea Liane), but they are separated by borders as she has to marry a diplomat and move to Belgium. The separation drives Sam into a desperate situation where he agrees to have his back tattooed by a renowned artist, effectively turning his own body into a valuable piece of art, hence the title "The Man Who Sold His Skin." The tattoo, a Schengen visa, symbolizes freedom and a possible way to reach his beloved, but also a label that commodifies and objectifies him.

One of the film's key themes is the exploration of human commodification, a term used to describe when people are reduced to mere products with a monetary value. Mahayni's brilliant portrayal of a man driven to such lengths foster empathy in viewers, subtly nudging them to question their understanding of the world within and beyond the screen.

The film does a magnificent job of walking the line between the harsh realities of a refugee's life and the glamorized, often self-absorbed art world. It uses the concept of skin as a canvas to critique the art market that often benefits disproportionality from suffering and misfortune, rendering a satirical commentary on exploitation in the art industry. At the same time, it thoughtfully highlights the many nuances of globalization, migration, and privilege in our contemporary reality.

Koen De Bouw performance as the artist who tattoos Sam is undeniably compelling. Adding to the mix is Monica Bellucci, who plays an icy art dealer who commodifies Sam's suffering. Dea Liane beautifully portrays the character of Abeer, a woman torn between her society's expectations and her love for Sam, thereby, fine-tuning the overarching narrative of the film.

The Man Who Sold His Skin showcases the versatility and prowess of director Kaouther Ben Hania as she takes on a relatively unknown subject matter and uses it as an allegory to discuss significant global issues like war, freedom, and desolation. Her deftness with storytelling provides the film its steady pace, cohesion, and in-depth exploration of complex characters living in a convoluted milieu at the intersection of art, commerce, and human displacement.

The film's cinematography, by Christopher Aoun, parallels the complex narrative, using both unsettling close-ups and sweeping wide shots to underscore the key themes. This is bolstered by a crisp and evocative musical score by Amine Bouhafa – the music becomes another character in the film, subtly highlighting the inner turmoil of the characters and the broader socio-political landscape in which they exist.

Ben Hania's film has been appreciated for its blending of harsh reality and satire, which offers a fresh perspective on the experiences of refugees and the formidable challenges they face. It gives us a powerful understanding of a world where human life and suffering are commodified for consumption in the affluent art market. Thus, it stands out as a work of art in itself – a painting of the contemporary world that commands viewers to look closer, think deeper, and empathize more.