The Man Who Sold His Skin

Sam Ali, a sensitive and impulsive young Syrian, leaves his country across the border to flee the war. In order to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life, he accepts that one of the most important contemporary artists in the world tattoo his back. After turning his body into a prestigious work of art, Sam gradually understands that his decision implies the opposite of what he originally wanted: freedom. Sam accepts a Faustian pact. Exiled in Beirut, he dreams of arriving in Brussels to meet the woman he loves, so he transforms into a kind of commodity to regain his freedom and humanity. 'The Man Who Sold His Skin' was presented in the Orizzonti Section of the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival and was chosen by Tunisia as a candidate to compete in the 2020 Academy Awards.

Its director, Kaouther Ben Hania, explains that "this film is an encounter between two worlds that captivate me: the world of contemporary art and the world of refugees; two sealed worlds that are governed by totally different codes. The contrast between these two worlds in the film shows a reflection on freedom. When refugee Sam meets artist Jeffrey, he says, 'You were born on the right side of the world' The problem is that we live in a world where people are not equal".