Skin (2008)

Directed by: Hanro Smitsman | 106 minutes | drama | Actors: Robert de Hoog, John Buijsman, Sylvia Poorta, Juda Goslinga, Juliann Ubbergen, Urmie Plein, Guus Dam, Teun Kuilboer, Mike Meijer, Jorik Prins, Bart Klever, Dajo Hogeweg

The Dutch telefilm ‘Skin’ is an ambitious project. The film deals with themes such as racism, National Socialism, senseless violence, father-son relationships and the death of a parent. Director and screenwriter Hanro Smitsman (Golden Bear winner for short feature film ‘Raak’) has succeeded in creating a consistent and striking whole. ‘Skin’ can refer to skinheads, who play an important role in the film, but also to the literal meaning of the word, because not only do you get close to the characters, the film also gets under your skin. ‘Skin’ hits like a bomb and makes you think about prejudice and relationships between cause and effect. Smitsman was inspired by the murder of Kerwin Duinmeijer, who was stabbed to death in Amsterdam on 20 August 1983. Nico B, the boy who killed him, had the words ‘100% white’ tattooed on his arm. However, the juvenile judge was convinced that Kerwin’s murder was not a racist murder, but an act of a boy who was mentally disturbed. Today, the murder would rather be classified under the heading of ‘senseless violence’.

Smitsman is aware that his film will provoke reactions. However, he emphasizes that Frankie, the protagonist in ‘Skin’ is not based on the life of Nico B. There are only a few similarities, such as the fact that both have a Jewish father. Frank’s father Simon survived Auschwitz, but still carries this burden with him. As a result, he is unable to communicate with his wife and son. Frank is a sweet, sensitive boy, who will go through fire for his mother and has difficulty with his father’s attitude. It almost physically hurts to see the two in a scene where they can only throw blame at each other. There is no good or bad side: the viewer’s sympathy lies with both characters, although the scales tip to Frankie at the end of the film. The phenomenal acting of debutant Robert de Hoog in the role of Frankie and John Buijsman as his father is to blame for this. Both portray their characters completely believable and the emotional involvement of the viewer quickly becomes large. What also contributes to the positive viewing experience is the image of the time that the makers managed to sketch: ‘Skin’ is set in 1979 and many details have been taken into account to convey this so truthfully. Not only the punk scene in which Frankie moves, interiors, clothing, language and the street scene: everything is right.

‘Skin’ is an impressive feature film debut. Not a happy film, but an overwhelming one. We hope that we will see a lot more from both Robert de Hoog and Hanro Smitsman!