Skin (2018 feature film)

"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

After a recent incident, which involves the burning of a mosque in his hometown, disillusioned Neo-Nazi skinhead Bryon Widner (Jamie Bell) decides to leave the white supremacist movement. He marries local resident Julie Price (Danielle Macdonald) and begins to work odd jobs alongside menial laborers.

White supremacist members retaliate by shooting out his home with him and a pregnant Julie inside, but both are unharmed. When Bryon steps out to confront them, he sees his dog hanging from a tree. To prevent the supremacists from doing further harm to his family, Bryon meets with political activist Daryle Lamont Jenkins (Mike Colter) and FBI agent Marks (Mary Stuart Masterson). Using information Bryon has provided them, the FBI raids the white supremacist compound. Krager (Bill Camp), one of the supremacists, is arrested.

In the aftermath of the supremacist raid, Jenkins continues heading the One People's Project and remains good friends with Bryon. Bryon himself undergoes two years of surgeries to have all his face and hand tattoos removed. He works on getting a degree in criminal psychology and speaks around the country about tolerance and inclusion from his own experience.

Cast

Production

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

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

Critical response

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

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

References

  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.