The Skin I Live In (2011)
"La piel que habito" (original title)

A brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. His guinea pig: a mysterious and volatile woman who holds the key to his obsession.

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writers:

Agustín Almodóvar (collaboration), Pedro Almodóvar (screenplay),

Stars:

Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 21 wins & 38 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Banderas	...	Robert Ledgard
Elena Anaya	...	Vera Cruz
Marisa Paredes	...	Marilia
Jan Cornet	...	Vicente
Roberto Álamo	...	Zeca
Eduard Fernández	...	Fulgencio
José Luis Gómez	...	Presidente del Instituto de Biotecnología
Blanca Suárez	...	Norma Ledgard
Susi Sánchez	...	Madre de Vicente
Bárbara Lennie	...	Cristina
Fernando Cayo	...	Médico
Chema Ruiz	...	Policía
Buika	...	Cantante (as Concha Buika)
Ana Mena	...	Norma joven
Teresa Manresa	...	Casilda Efraiz

Storyline

In honor of his late wife who died in a flaming car accident, scientist, Dr. Robert Ledgard, is trying to synthesize the perfect skin which can withstand burns, cuts or any other kind of damage. As he gets closer to perfecting this skin on his flawless patient, the scientific community starts growing skeptical and his past is revealed that shows how his patient is closely linked to tragic events he would like to forget.

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Plot Keywords:

skin | revenge | suicide | death | plastic surgeon | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [United Kingdom] Official Facebook [United States]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

2 September 2011 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Koža u kojoj živim

Filming Locations:

A Estrada, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$223,119 (USA) (14 October 2011)

Gross:

$3,185,193 (USA) (23 March 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blue Haze Entertainment, Canal+ España, El Deseo D.A. S.L.U.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The man that goes to the dress shop to bring his wife's garments, is Agustín Almodóvar, producer of the film and brother of Pedro Almodóvar.

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Goofs

When Vera comes to the clothes shop in a taxi, the taxi is very clearly a Ford C-Max. However, in the next shot, when the reflection of the car is visible in the in the window pane as it drives away, it's a Volkswagen Jetta.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Marilia: [to servant] Help me with the dumbwaiter.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood's Top Ten: Antonio Banderas Movies (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Between the Bars"
Written by Steven P. Smith
Performed by Chris Garneau

User Reviews

An Intriguing and Dark Film of Revenge and Obsession

In Toledo, the scientist and surgeon Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) is researching a synthetic skin capable to resist fire and any harm after the death of his beloved wife, who was burnt in a car accident. He is isolated in his mansion with his maid Marilia (Marisa Paredes) and his mysterious subject Vera Cruz (Elena Anaya), who is testing his experiment but is locked in her room.

After the assault of the thug Zeca (Roberto Álamo), who raped Vera, Robert has a nightmare with his daughter Norma (Blanca Suárez), who was raped in a party by the youngster Vicente (Jan Cornet) and committed suicide later. Robert plots a scheme to revenge his daughter that has begun with the abduction of Vicente. What is the connection between Vicente and Vera?

"La Piel que Habito" is an intriguing and dark film of revenge and obsession by Pedro Almodóvar that recalls George Franju's "Les Yeux Sans Visage" ("Eyes without a Face") but in a David Cronenberg's style.

It was very difficult for me to write the plot summary without spoilers since the screenplay is very well developed like a puzzle and the mystery is kept along most part of the story. The gorgeous Elena Anaya has a great performance in her ambiguous role. Antonio Banderas and Marisa Paredes are wonderful, as usual. Ending my review, I would like to write that even those viewers that have never seen a film by Almodóvar will enjoy "La Piel que Habito". My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Pele que Habito" ("The Skin I Live in")