Skin (2019)

This timely biographical drama film sees tattooed skinhead and white supremacist Bryon Widner turn his back on hatred and violence to transform his life with the help of a black activist and the woman he loves.

Awarded the FIPRESCI critics’ prize at the Toronto International Film Festival and nominated for a C.I.C.A.E. Award at last year’s Berlin International Film Festival, the movie is written and directed by Guy Nattiv, whose short film of the same name (on a similar theme but unrelated to the feature film) won an Oscar in 2018.

It stars BAFTA winner Jamie Bell (aka Billy Elliot), Danielle Macdonald (Dumplin’), Emmy nominee Bill Camp (The Night Of), Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), and Mike Colter (aka Marvel’s Luke Cage).

Screen International says, “Danielle MacDonald is exceptional,” and “Bell gives his best performance ever.”

“You’d never expect a xenophobic, hate-filled skinhead to have the sweet face and demeanor of the actor Jamie Bell,” says Time Magazine, “which is what makes Bell’s performance in Guy Nattiv’s Skin so effective.”

The film has an 84% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Skin leaves a lasting impression as it peels off a shameful past,” says RogerEbert.com, while Variety calls it, “a powerful, well-acted tale of personal redemption.”