“The Man Who Sold His Skin”

(Tunisia/France/Belgium/Germany/Sweden/Turkey)

Metacritic (8/10), Rotten Tomatoes (****)

Chilling, satirical and full of irony, this contemporary drama about selling one’s soul for an alleged sense of freedom only to find oneself more restrained than ever spins a captivating and thought-provoking tale. When a Syrian refugee seeks to flee his wartorn homeland for a new life in Europe with his soul mate, he makes a questionable deal with a famous but sinister artist, granting him access to the skin on his back to create a living work of tattoo art, a contract fraught with consequences beyond anything he ever imagined. Director Kaouther Ben Hania’s second narrative feature serves up an array of intriguing and incisive insights and observations on a variety of social, political and economic issues, particularly the treatment of individuals more as commodities than as living beings. The script’s deft mixture of macabre, witty and profound elements provides an entertaining and engaging combination that will keep viewers glued to the screen right up to its twist-filled conclusion. A most worthy contender for this year’s Oscar for best international feature.