The Man Who Sold His Skin

Local title
Mees, kes müüs oma naha
Original title
The Man Who Sold His Skin
Director
Kaouther Ben Hania
Year
2020
Programme

Sam Ali, a young sensitive and impulsive Syrian, left his country for Lebanon to escape the war. To be able to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life, he accepts to have his back tattooed by one of by the World’s most sulfurous contemporary artist. Turning his own body into a prestigious piece of art, Sam will however come to realize that his decision might actually mean anything but freedom.

"The Man Who Sold His Skin" is an allegory about one’s personal freedom in an inegalitarian system tackling broader meaning about our real-world issues.

Director
Kaouther Ben Hania
Screenwriter
Kaouther Ben Hania
Producer
Thanassis Karathano, Annabella Nezri, Andreas Rocksen
Cast
Yahya Mahayni, Dea Liane, Monica Bellucci, Koen de Bouw, Darina Al Joundi
Director of Photography
Christopher Aoun
Editing
Marie-Hélène Dozo
Production
Tanit Films, Cinetele films, Twenty Twenty VisionKwassa Films, Laika Film and Television
Music
Amine Bouhafa
World sales
BAC Films
Runtime
Subtitles
Director
Kaouther Ben Hania

Filmography:
Les imams vont à l’école (Imams go to School, 2010, doc), Le Challat de Tunis (2013, doc), Zaineb Takrahou Ethelj (Zaineb Hates the Snow, 2013, doc), Aala Kaf Ifrit (2017), Ar-rajul alladi ba'a zahrahu (Mees, kes müüs ma naha, PÖFF 2020), Les filles d'Olfa (Neli tütart, 2023, doc), Sawt Hind Rajab (The Voice of Hind Rajab, 2025)

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Trailer