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Skin (2018 feature film)

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"Skin (2018 film)" redirects here. For the Academy Award-winning short film also directed by Guy Nattiv, see Skin (2018 short film).
Skin
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGuy Nattiv
Written byGuy Nattiv
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyArnaud Potier
Edited by
Music byDan Romer
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 8, 2018 (2018-09-08) (TIFF)
  • July 26, 2019 (2019-07-26) (United States)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$135,562[2]

Skin is a 2018 American biographical drama film written and directed by Israeli-born filmmaker Guy Nattiv. The film stars Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald, Daniel Henshall, Bill Camp, Louisa Krause, Zoe Colletti, Kylie Rogers, Colbi Gannett, Mike Colter, and Vera Farmiga. The film is inspired by the true story of an American neo-Nazi skinhead named Bryon Widner.

Skin had its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018 and was released on June 27, 2019 through DirecTV Cinema before a wide release on July 26, 2019 by A24.

Plot

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In the beginning, Bryon Widner's life unfolds as a skinhead deeply integrated into a white supremacist community. He grows up in a dysfunctional family and eventually ends up living on the streets. Fred, the leader of the Nazi community, and his wife take him in, give him clothes, and find him a job. Believing he has finally found a real family, Bryon fully embraces the movement.

Over time, cracks begin to appear in his so-called perfect skinhead life. He starts showing aversion to certain acts of violence and falls in love with Julie Price, a vulnerable single mother of three. As their relationship grows, Bryon and Julie begin building a different life together that includes her children and distances them from the white supremacist community.

Unhappy with his change of heart, his Nazi "family" tries to pull him back in. But when he becomes involved in the burning of a mosque in his hometown, an act that costs innocent lives, overcome with guilt, Bryon makes the difficult decision to leave the white supremacist movement. He seeks help from political activist Daryle Lamont Jenkins, who supports his transition out of extremism.

Bryon marries Julie and takes on low-wage, manual jobs, struggling to find better opportunities due to his Nazi past.

But the movement refuses to let him go. When they come after him again, he asks them to leave him alone, instead, they set up a test mission that results in Bryon being shot and one of the Nazis being killed.

After recovering in the hospital, Bryon meets with Jenkins, who arranges for his entry into the FBI’s witness protection program. However, the Nazis are relentless. One night, they ambush Bryon’s home, shooting at the house while Julie—who is pregnant—and her children are inside. When the attack ends, Bryon discovers his dog, Boss, hanging from a tree—a chilling message from his former associates.

Later, he learns that one of Julie's daughters has deliberately given away their location to the white supremacist group. She has been manipulated by "Mum" of the Nazi community, who had made her believe they were friends. Overcome with anger, Bryon loses control and becomes aggressive, prompting Julie to send him away.

Using the information Bryon provided, the FBI raids the white supremacist compound and arrests its members.

Determined to erase his past, Bryon agrees to undergo two years of surgeries to remove the tattoos covering his face and hands. In the end, he finds his way back to his wife and child, hoping to build a new life free from hatred.

Jenkins continues leading the One People's Project, and Bryon becomes actively involved in the initiative, using his experience to help others leave extremist groups.

Cast

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Production

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On May 11, 2017, international rights to Skin was bought by Seville International at the 70th Cannes Film Festival.[3] In August 2018, it was reported that composer Dan Romer would be scoring the music for the feature.[4]

In May 2017, it was announced that Jamie Bell and Danielle Macdonald would star in the film, with Nattiv writing the screenplay, producing and directing.[5] In March 2018, after production on the film had started, Vera Farmiga was announced to have joined the cast of the film, with Nattiv's wife Jaime Ray Newman reported to be producing.[6] That same month, Mike Colter was cast as Daryle Lamont Jenkins, founder of the One People's Project.[7] Shortly thereafter, actors Ari Barkan, Scott Thomas, Daniel Henshall, Michael Villar, Justin Wilson, and Russel Posner joined the cast.

Principal photography began in January 2018 in Kingston, New York, and was completed in March 2018.

Release

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Skin had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018.[8] Shortly after, A24 and DirecTV Cinema acquired distribution rights to the film.[9] It was released through DirecTV Cinema on June 27, 2019, and had a limited release on July 26, 2019.[10][11]

Reception

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Critical response

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Skin holds a 76% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 80 reviews, with an average of 6.6/10. The site's consensus reads: "Skin could stand to go a bit deeper below its surface, but a worthy story and a committed performance from Jamie Bell make this timely drama well worth a watch."[12] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 58 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]

See also

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  • Erasing Hate (2011), a documentary film directed by Bill Brummel, covers the life of Bryon Widner.

References

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  1. ^ "Skin". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  2. ^ "Skin (2018) - Financial Information". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (May 11, 2017). "IM Global's Anthem Gets 'Real' & More; Geoffrey Rush, Jai Courtney Join 'Storm Boy' – Cannes Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  4. ^ "Dan Romer Scoring Guy Nattiv's 'Skin'". Film Music Reporter. August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  5. ^ Kay, Jeremy (May 11, 2017). "Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald to star in Neo-Nazi drama 'Skin'". Screen International. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  6. ^ Galuppo, Mia (March 2, 2018). "Vera Farmiga Joins Jamie Bell in Neo-Nazi Drama 'Skin' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (March 15, 2018). "'Luke Cage' Star Mike Colter Joins Chrissy Metz In 'The Impossible'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  8. ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 14, 2018). "Toronto unveils Contemporary World Cinema, more Galas and Special Presentations". Screen International. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  9. ^ Seetoodeh, Ramin (September 11, 2018). "Toronto: A24 and DIRECTV Acquire 'Skin' Starring Jamie Bell (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  10. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 24, 2019). "With First Oscar In Hand, 'Skin' Director Guy Nattiv Plots Feature Version's Summer Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  11. ^ Pederson, Erik (April 18, 2019). "'Skin' Trailer: Jamie Bell Stars As Conflicted White Supremacist Seeking Redemption". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  12. ^ "Skin (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  13. ^ "Skin". Metacritic. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
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