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Fremde Haut

Fremde Haut (2005) is a German film released 20 October 2005. It was directed by Angelina Maccarone and stars Jasmin Tabatabai, Anneke Kim Sarnau, and Navíd Akhavan. Its English title is Unveiled.

Background

Writers Maccarone and Judith Kaufmann conceived the idea for the film in 1998. In 2002, Maccarone sent a copy of the script to actress Tabatabai, who reviewed it. As an Iranian, Tabatabai worked with Maccarone and Kaufmann to rewrite the story to be more realistic. For example, the main character became "more subtle, not as outspoken."

Plot summary

The film tells the story of Fariba Tabrizi, played by Jasmin Tabatabai, who leaves Iran as a refugee after her romantic relationship with another woman, which is illegal in Iran, is found out. In the refugee detention centre at the Frankfurt Airport, her application for asylum is rejected. To gain asylum in Germany, she must take on the identity of a fellow asylum-seeker, who has just committed suicide. Passing as Siamak Mustafai, a male, Fariba develops a relationship with a female coworker.

Title

The original German title translates as "stranger's skin." Maccarone said,

On the one hand it means to wear another person’s personality, and on the other it has an erotic notion to it.|

The English title, Unveiled, was conceived by the U.S. distributor of the film.

Cast

Jasmin Tabatabai, as Fariba Tabrizi
Anneke Kim Sarnau, as Anne
Navíd Akhavan, as Siamak Mustafai
Georg Friedrich, as Burkhardt

Awards

In 2006, Jasmin Tabatabai was nominated for the German Film Award as Best Actress.

Hessian Film Award 2005

Seattle Film Festival 2005: "Best Narrative Feature"

Image Nation Film Festival Montreal 2005: "Great Jury Prize"

Cyprus International Film Festival 2006: Best Actress in a Feature Film (Jasmin Tabatabai), Best Director (Angelina Maccarone), Best Film (Golden Aphrodite Award)