In My Skin 4K 2002

Many people are simply unable to understand the essence of this movie. Such a seemingly, at first glance, non-dynamic ending, lack of drive, not the most beautiful actors, a lame, at first glance, script. This movie is one of the greatest movies about life. Not about the life we are used to seeing from diapers, not about the life we were taught in childhood and school. Eating your body is just a narrative tool here. What you're used to seeing and what you're used to thinking about is not what it really is.

The opening scene from 'Adaptation' with Nicolas Cage comes to mind. The screen caption is 'Hollywood millions of years B.C.' and boiling swamps of lava. Rotting bodies of prehistoric animals and shifting landscapes.

This is the story of a woman who questions the meaning of her existence. A very serious question. And finds herself at a dead end in life. Like a little man drawn on paper looking beyond the page and seeing the world in three dimensions. Like a snake eating itself. The paradox of existence.

The last scene is Marina De Van lying on a bed and staring unblinkingly into the lens of the camera. Beyond that, nothing else matters. Not her excuses to her husband, not her ruined career, not even her death. This movie is the naked truth of life. It is very similar in idea to Chuck Palanick's story 'The Nightmare Box' from the book 'Ghosts'. You can also draw a clear analogy with Joseph Heller's 'Catch 22' - 'That day Snowden told me his secret. That we are just matter. That's all. Anyone who's read it will understand. Those who haven't read it... well, they won't.

Bottom line: Marina De Van is a unique woman director who can combine style and idea in a shot and keep them in harmony throughout the action. She will have a huge number of amazing projects yet to come. Not a doubt in my mind.