Watch Skinned

Skinned is a thought-provoking drama that tackles the issue of colorism within the African American community. The 2015 film was directed by LisaRaye McCoy and starred Jasmine Burke, Van Vicker, and Drew Sidora. The movie follows the life of Jolie (played by Jasmine Burke), a successful businesswoman and socialite who experiences discrimination due to her dark complexion. Despite her success, Jolie has always felt inferior to her lighter-skinned peers and even uses skin-bleaching creams to achieve a lighter complexion.

As the story unfolds, Jolie's deep-seated insecurities become more apparent when she is in a car accident that disfigures her face. With her looks drastically altered, Jolie is forced to confront her beliefs and societal pressures about beauty.

Alongside Jolie's story, the movie explores the experiences of other characters who are affected by colorism. For instance, Zoe (played by Drew Sidora) is a light-skinned actress who struggles to be taken seriously in the industry due to her complexion. On the other hand, Michael (played by Van Vicker) is in love with Jolie but faces judgment from his family for being with a dark-skinned woman.

Skinned cleverly weaves together these different narratives to highlight the complexities of colorism and its lasting impact on individuals' self-esteem and relationships. The movie also raises important questions about the role of media, beauty standards, and racism in perpetuating colorism.

The acting in Skinned is impressive, particularly by Jasmine Burke, who delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Jolie. She effectively portrays the character's internal struggle with her identity and self-worth, making her journey feel relatable and empathetic. Van Vicker and Drew Sidora also deliver strong performances, adding depth to their respective characters' experiences.

The cinematography in Skinned is beautiful, with a mix of warm and cool tones that capture the essence of the characters' emotions and the overall themes of the movie. The use of lighting and shadows is particularly striking, highlighting the stark differences between light and dark skin and further emphasizing the film's underlying message.

Overall, Skinned is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring complex issues of race, beauty, and identity. The film takes an honest and unflinching look at colorism, shedding light on the deep-seated prejudices that exist within our society. With memorable performances, beautiful cinematography, and a powerful message, this movie is sure to leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Skinned is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.