The Man Who Sold His Skin (2020)

“The Man Who Sold His Skin” (ar-rajul allaḏī bāʿa ẓahrihu) is a Tunisian-French drama film directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. The film follows the story of Sam Ali (Yahya Mahayni), a Syrian refugee who agrees to have a Schengen visa tattooed on his back in exchange for being able to travel to Europe to be with the woman he loves. However, the tattoo, which is created by a famous artist, turns Sam into a living work of art, and he becomes the property of the collector who has purchased the artwork.

Review:

“The Man Who Sold His Skin” is a thought-provoking and engaging film that explores the themes of identity, freedom, and exploitation. The film’s standout performance is from Yahya Mahayni, who brings a sense of vulnerability and humanity to the character of Sam. The film is visually stunning, with the use of art and imagery to convey the film’s central themes. Director Kaouther Ben Hania‘s direction is confident and assured, and the film’s ending is both poignant and powerful.

Awards:

“The Man Who Sold His Skin” has received critical acclaim and has won several awards, including the Best Actor award for Yahya Mahayni at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. The film also won the Best Arab Film award at the Cairo International Film Festival and was selected as the Tunisian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Popularity:

“The Man Who Sold His Skin” has been well-received by audiences and critics alike and has a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb and an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s unique story and powerful performances have helped it gain popularity among international audiences, and it is considered one of the standout films of 2020.