Skin

So on the same lines as American History X and The Believer, we have yet another white supremacist story (based on a true story) with another incredible lead performance; this time it's Jamie Bell in Skin. Do we need another one of these? I would argue more than ever. I heard an interesting theory about extremist movements. They are born from, above all else, poverty. Whether it be Middle Eastern jihadists or good old USA white nationalists, the underlining similarity is angry young men (mostly men) who are poor and have nothing to lose. You take them in, feed them, and explain to them, the guy over there, the one with the different skin colour, well he's your problem - this is why you don't have any food, because he stole your job, etc. We get a glimpse of this. However the main focus of the film is about Bryon leaving his Nazi brethren behind with the help of black activist, Daryle Lamont Jenkins (played by Mike Colter) so Bryon can be with his new wife and kids. He cuts a deal with Daryle and in exchange, goes through an extremely painful and lengthy tattoo removal process to clean his skin from the hate that covers much of his face and body. It's a violent and dark film but an important and timely one. Bell is excellent in it. Catch it at a theatre near you.