“The Skin I Live In ( La piel que habito)” is a psychological thriller directed by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya. The film follows a brilliant plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Ledgard, who has been experimenting with a new type of synthetic skin that is impervious to burns and other injuries. His obsession with perfecting the skin has led him to keep a young woman named Vera captive in his mansion, where he subjects her to a series of experiments and surgeries to create the perfect skin. As the plot unfolds, the audience discovers the dark secrets that Ledgard and Vera are hiding, and the film becomes a haunting meditation on identity, sexuality, and power.
Review:
“The Skin I Live In” is a visually stunning and disturbing film that delves into the twisted mind of its protagonist, Dr. Robert Ledgard. Antonio Banderas gives a haunting performance as the obsessive surgeon, and Elena Anaya is equally impressive as the enigmatic Vera. The film is filled with shocking twists and turns, and Almodóvar masterfully builds tension and suspense throughout. The themes of identity and gender are explored in a thought-provoking and complex way, and the film’s exploration of power dynamics is both unsettling and timely. “The Skin I Live In” is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle its dark subject matter, it is a haunting and unforgettable experience.
Awards:
“The Skin I Live In” was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and a BAFTA for Best Film Not in the English Language. The film also won several awards, including the Best Actress award for Elena Anaya at the Sitges Film Festival and the Best Make-Up award at the Goya Awards.
| Spanish | La piel que habito |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Pedro Almodóvar |
| Produced by | Agustín Almodóvar Esther García |
| Screenplay by | Pedro Almodóvar |
| Based on | Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet |
| Starring | Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet, Roberto Álamo, |
| Music by | Alberto Iglesias |
| Cinematography | José Luis Alcaine |
| Edited by | José Salcedo |
| Production companies |
El Deseo Blue Haze Entertainment FilmNation Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Spain |
| Release date | 19 May 2011 (Cannes) 2 September 2011 (Spain) |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
| Budget | $13.5 million |
| Box office | $30.8 million |