The Man Who Sold His Skin

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The Man Who Sold His Skin

2020

1h 44m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

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 by 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.

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Critics Consensus

The Man Who Sold His Skin uses the tension between art and commerce as powerful fuel for a sobering story about freedom and human dignity.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Provocative and challenging, if not the most subtle piece of political commentary, the film certainly cements Kaouther Ben Hania as a name to watch in Arab cinema.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 27, 2021

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

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

Rated: 2/5

Sep 24, 2021

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

"The Man Who Sold His Skin" stretches itself so thin that you can almost see its veins struggling to circulate the blood Ben Hania needs to bring her story home.

Rated: C

Apr 9, 2021

Full Review

Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

An excellently crafted film that effectively touches upon issues of systemic oppression and the exploitation of people for selfish or political gain.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 3, 2024

Full Review

Annlee Ellingson

CineWomen

The scenario, the quandaries it poses, and especially [Yahya] Mahayni’s galvanic performance [are] as indelible as the ink on Sam’s skin.

Jul 29, 2024

Full Review

Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

The Man Who Sold His Skin is writer/director Kaouther Ben Hania’s sophomore feature, but it has the polish and strong visual vocabulary of a much more experienced filmmaker.

Jul 25, 2023

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Franoise F

Interesting ideas. A little boring in its execution.....

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/09/21

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Stacy D

Well told and thought provoking

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/21

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Justin S

A fantastic exploration of art, geopolitics, and immigration. I never knew where it was going to head next.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Kevin M

Loosely based on a true story, the film follows a man who has his back tattooed by a famous artist. The “art” is then sold, and he sits in art galleries as an exhibit. I was looking for a message about the Syrian refugee crisis, or materialism, or illegal immigration, or human trafficking, or something, but no. It’s just about a guy whose back becomes a piece of art. The acting was mediocre, but the story was interesting.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

Full Review

Siriporn P

The love story is a bit lame. The part of human rights/freedom is interesting and could be discussable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The protagonist is obdurate with his decision to pursue love no matter the cost. He was castigated by friends, family, and society for the choice he made. It was a deep look into societal values, the struggle asylum seekers face, and what one may do to chase love. I ardently support this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Kaouther Ben Hania

Director

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Sam Ali

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Soraya Waldy

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Synopsis

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 by 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.

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Producer: Thanassis Karathanos, Annabella Nezri, Andreas Rocksén, Martin Hampel
Screenwriter: Kaouther Ben Hania
Production Co: Tanit Films, Sunnyland Film, ZDF/Arte, Istiqlal Films, Bac Films, Ministère des Affaires Culturelles, SACEM, Belga Film Fund, Fonds Images de la Francophonie, Kwassa Films, Laika Film & Television AB, Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion, Eurimages, Swedish Film Institute, Cinétéléfilms, Metafora Production, Centre National du Cinéma et de L'image Animée, BE TV, Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Film i Väst, Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge, VOO, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2021
Runtime: 1h 44m

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