Sep. 05, 2020|Tunisia | France | Belgium | Germany | Sweden | Turkey|104 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Crime;Drama;History;Mystery;Thriller;War
Description: In 2020, the film *The Man Who Sold His Skin* tells the story of Sam and Abeer, a couple from Raqa separated by the Syrian Civil War. While Sam seeks refuge in Lebanon, Abeer’s family forces her to marry a wealthier man and relocate to Brussels. Desperate to reunite with her, Sam agrees to have his back tattooed as a Schengen visa by a renowned but controversial Western artist. This transforms his body into a living artwork, exhibited in a museum. As the story unfolds, Sam realizes he has sacrificed more than just his skin.
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film draws inspiration from Belgian artist Wim Delvoye’s *Tim* (2006). It was Tunisia’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, making the shortlist. It premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, where actor Yahya Mahayni won the Best Actor Award. The movie explores themes of art, identity, and human exploitation, offering a poignant reflection on the cost of survival and love in turbulent times.
Cast director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Cast actor: Yahya Mahayni, Monica Bellucci, Koen De Bouw, Rupert Wynne-James, Darina Al Joundi, Najoua Zouhair, Saad Lostan, Husam Chadat, Christian Vadim, Marc de Panda
Original name: الرجل الذي باع ظهره