Just watched this film a couple days ago, and haven't really been able to let go. I'd been meaning to watch it, along with a few other gems associated with the New French Extremity, for quite some time now, and managed to find it at a local (but amazing) video store.First of all, this was one of the most deeply uncomfortable viewing experiences of my life. There isn't the typical fast, exaggerated gore typical to most films in the genre. The violence is slow, drawn out, gnawing and scratching, sickening, shameful, secretive.Second, and what has struck me the most, is that this is the most honest and brutal depiction of self-harm/self-mutilation I've ever seen. Truly. I've been a cutter for some time (thankfully recovered), and at its worse it was catastrophic and insane. There's a strong element of shame. You isolate. But what this movie nails the most, that not only is missed in other depictions but has always been hard for me to describe, is the depersonalization, the dissociation from your own body. The restaurant scene tackles this concept quite literally, in fact. It's still hard to really put into words, so I'll let this movie talk for me.If you're looking to push your boundaries or witness one of the more devastating downward spirals committed to celluloid, definitely check this one out.

In My Skin wasn't nearly as intriguing or repulsive as I was led on to believe, unfortunately. While it does feature some nasty self-mutilation which eventually leads to cannibalism, the movie was quite tame when compared to others in the French Extremity. However, that wasn't the problem with the movie, my main problem with Skin was it was basically a bore most of the time. What the movie does extremely well is display the power of addiction has on a user. Like most cases, the first time use seems harmless or happens by accident, something the user thinks nothing of. But over time that addiction grows and grows and becomes something the person wasn't expecting, an addiction. In My Skin does exactly that, the first time she gets hurt it is by accident and she merely brushes it off. But as the movie progresses, she becomes more fascinated with that 'high' which pulls her deeper into her addiction. Displaying classic signs of the powers of addiction, her love life, professional life, and personal life are now falling apart before her eyes. And to no surprise, she slowly pushes everyone around her away and anyone willing to help her is given some type of excuse and hide her dirty secret. It's hard not to appreciate how well this part of the movie is expressed.But while the allegory of addiction is represented quite well, the movie itself is rather slow and unengaging (which is surprising given its premise). It's kind of like an addiction, we are anxiously waiting for her next 'use' (aka the drug) and everything else is just dull and monotonous. In My Skin boils down to two things, it's an interesting look at a very bizarre addiction, but it lacks the characteristics to spin the movie in an intriguing manner.

It's not very often I'm left with little to say about a film other than: what the f###? On the surface, In My Skin is the story of Esther, an upwardly mobile mid-30's professional woman with a loving boyfriend. In the eyes of society, she has it all but despite having it all, Esther is on the brink of a major collapse.Early on Esther's actions show she's willing to do whatever it takes to move up the corporate ladder: flirt with the boss, step on the back of her closest friend, etc. But why? Does Esther really want the career she strives towards or is she reluctantly doing what's expected of her? Esther literally opens up to something deeper, darker and more fulfilling when she accidentally gashes her leg open at a party. The bloody gash and torn flesh excite something within Ester, possess her and before long, turn her desires into a self destructive obsession.Her obsession grows, refusing her wound the ability to heal, re-opening it, probing it, slicing into it and slicing into other virgin patches of her flesh. Before long, Esther is seducing herself in a seedy hotel room, cutting into herself and in a very sexually suggestive manner, eating herself. Not surprising, Esther's obsession starts to negatively encroach on the idyllic life she's built around her: job, loving partner, friends; eventually these priorities fall down the hierarchical ladder, usurped by her narcissistic pursuit to consume herself. But before we reach any natural or logical conclusion to Esther's plight, we are suddenly left staring her in the eyes before the film abruptly ends, leaving us to ponder...what. the. f###?IMS is beautifully photographed, many shots abstracted by the use of extreme close ups and split screens, it is impossible to not feel somewhat seduced by the same fetishistic obsession that (no pun intended) consumes Esther. But beautiful or not, IMS is bloody, gory and not for the faint of heart. Every time Esther glides a gleaming knife over the surface of her bloodied skin, we cringe in anticipation of her next incision. De Van wants us to feel uncomfortable, she wants us to search for greater meaning, just as Esther does and since it's obvious there's a lot more going on than what we see on the surface, we dig deeper...just like Esther.While on one hand it's (literally) painfully obvious IMS is critiquing the way we live - in addition to our material and physical obsessions - it is impossible to truly understand why Ester goes as far as she does. Perhaps that's the point, that the effects of modern living won't relent until we are literally chewed up and spit out. I can't say for sure whether I'll ever resort to hacking chunks of my flesh off my body for consumption or preservation, but one thing is for sure, IMS is definitely food for thought.http://eattheblinds.blogspot.com/

In My Skin certainly has some problems; but one of these problems isn't originality, and while things such as a lack of a true plot formula and explanation for the central character's actions may put some viewers off, the film deserves huge credit for stepping out of the mainstream and delivering something a little different to what most film fans will be used to. France has emerged over the past few years as one of the major forces in modern horror cinema, and while this film can't really be judged on the same terms as some of its fellow gory French horrors; it surely does help to bolster the nation's position at the top of the pile. The film represents a big personal project for Marina de Van; who wrote, directs and stars in the film! The plot begins when the central characters injures her leg fairly badly at a party. She is confused by the fact that despite the injury, she didn't really feel any pain and it's not long before she begins experimenting with her body and pain tolerance; eventually becoming unable to refrain from slicing herself open.The film is very different to the average mainstream horror and will not be well received in all circles. However, this certainly is a fascinating journey into a woman's 'discovery of herself' (for lack of a better term). The film does lack a defining point and becomes a voyeuristic look into what can only be described as the central character's disease. The film must then rely on its central character and set pieces, and the writer/director/lead actress definitely does deliver in this area. The film is not short on blood, but it's all used well and never feels gratuitous. The real power of the film comes from depicting the character's experiments on herself; I can generally stomach any amount of disgusting gore, but seeing the character here slice herself open had me squirming and that is testament both to the way we are made to care for the character and the very realistic way that the film is portrayed. The film is carried by the lead actress who is always the star despite some good supporting performances. Marina de Van can certainly be very proud of her work on this one! The appeal of this film can only go so far, but personally I loved it and will not hesitate to recommend that everyone at least gives it a look!