Set in South Africa during the last decades of apartheid, Skin is a docudrama about Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo), who was born to white parents but had dark skin and tightly curled hair, and was therefore officially classified as black. That decision was fought by her father, Abraham (Sam Neill), who eventually compelled the government to revise its policy. Much to Abraham's distress, however, Sandra married a young black man, had two children, and changed her racial status. Shunned by Abraham and abused by her husband—who came to believe that his own misfortunes resulted from marrying a white woman—Sandra eventually fled and struggled to make a life for herself and her kids within the still-segregated society. Bookended with sequences set during the country's first post-apartheid elections in 1994 (when Laing had become a celebrity), filmmaker Anthony Fabian's intelligently written and strongly acted drama treats Laing's tale of personal tragedy and public triumph with respect. A true parable demonstrating the inherent absurdity of racial prejudice, this powerful film is recommended. (F. Swietek)
Skin
eOne, 107 min., PG-13, DVD: $24.98, Feb. 1 Volume 26, Issue 2
Skin
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