"This work of art bears the signature of the devil."
Nominated for Best International Film, The Man Who Sold His Skin follows Sam, a Syrian refugee, whose own body is turned into a living work of art and promptly exhibited in a museum, but he will soon realize to have sold away more than just his skin. Sort of a surprise, this movie came out of nowhere with its nomination; the same for Better Days. The movie has sort of a mixed reaction but generally liked by most. I found it to be a very interesting concept. Topics such as the exploration of art and treatment of refugees like they are objects rather than human are discussed in great detail. The script works well in its favor. Randomly, when we're given these scenes where the speak English I will say the dialogue loses its luster and is lazily put together. For the most part, it does come together. The performances all around are great. Yahya Mahayni gives an introspective performance that only he could do.
The biggest part of the movie is art, as that is what it's about. Every shot looks like a piece of art. The shots are so elaborate and speak so much revealing underlying subtext and more. Would've loved to see it get recognized in some way but hardly anyone heard about it until its nomination. I wonder if all the artwork was made for this or if other artists allowed for their work to be used, but that's just a question for me. The score is quite beautiful too which crates an emotion to the story. Through all the positives in the movie, there are the negatives that go with it. Pacing becomes the main issue here. To begin with it is slow. Although this is a slow burn and could've chopped down on the minutes, it does take a certain person to get into it. But the final act doesn't hold up to the first two. It ends on a note that's both predictable and unpredictable. Had it ended just a little bit earlier, I would've been fine with the ending, but we have this unnecessary message that doesn't do anything else to the story. Part of it works and the other doesn't. In the end, The Man Who Sold His Skin is a solid movie. It's been a little over a week (been busy with schoolwork and couldn't find the time to sit and write this review) but it has stuck in my thoughts, mainly the shots and art. Added just this weekend to Hulu, you can see it there or rent it on VOD.
Nominated for Best International Film, The Man Who Sold His Skin follows Sam, a Syrian refugee, whose own body is turned into a living work of art and promptly exhibited in a museum, but he will soon realize to have sold away more than just his skin. Sort of a surprise, this movie came out of nowhere with its nomination; the same for Better Days. The movie has sort of a mixed reaction but generally liked by most. I found it to be a very interesting concept. Topics such as the exploration of art and treatment of refugees like they are objects rather than human are discussed in great detail. The script works well in its favor. Randomly, when we're given these scenes where the speak English I will say the dialogue loses its luster and is lazily put together. For the most part, it does come together. The performances all around are great. Yahya Mahayni gives an introspective performance that only he could do.
The biggest part of the movie is art, as that is what it's about. Every shot looks like a piece of art. The shots are so elaborate and speak so much revealing underlying subtext and more. Would've loved to see it get recognized in some way but hardly anyone heard about it until its nomination. I wonder if all the artwork was made for this or if other artists allowed for their work to be used, but that's just a question for me. The score is quite beautiful too which crates an emotion to the story. Through all the positives in the movie, there are the negatives that go with it. Pacing becomes the main issue here. To begin with it is slow. Although this is a slow burn and could've chopped down on the minutes, it does take a certain person to get into it. But the final act doesn't hold up to the first two. It ends on a note that's both predictable and unpredictable. Had it ended just a little bit earlier, I would've been fine with the ending, but we have this unnecessary message that doesn't do anything else to the story. Part of it works and the other doesn't. In the end, The Man Who Sold His Skin is a solid movie. It's been a little over a week (been busy with schoolwork and couldn't find the time to sit and write this review) but it has stuck in my thoughts, mainly the shots and art. Added just this weekend to Hulu, you can see it there or rent it on VOD.