Skin. Like. Sun

Skin. Like. Sun

It seems you are pointing out the 2007 short movie of Portuguese origin “Skin. Like. Sun” (Pele Como o Sol) which was directed by Victor Gonçalves and Cláudia Varejão. The film depicts its characters in an extremely humanistic and intimate fashion, which emphasizes the real and authentic facets of human connections and deep sensuality while using a poetics approach and contemplative mood blending it to be evocative and minimalistic.

Plot and Themes

Skin. Like. Sun tells the story of a young couple and the existential feelings they go through in a particular day of their life Yonder the film was set on a rural village where the pair goes through a plethora of emotional and physical experiences that are both touching and erotic along with their tender vulnerability. The silence between the couple, the small smiles they share and an occasional touch become the core focus of the story for it pure in nature along with the intimacy that they share among themselves.

In terms of its narrative, the film does not have music rather it relies more on ballet of the actors thus creating a visual outburst of portray which just adds onto the emulations of the pair. The soft classical modernist style of the cinematography and the omnipresent atmosphere is beautifully set to highlight the elements of the movie effectively.

Themes

The nature of intimacy and vulnerability

An essence of love and passion

The beauty residing in silence

Nature as an exploring medium for emotions

The contemporary significance and the artistic importance

Skin Like Sun highlights the realistic and natural representation of intimacy, treating it as honest and straightforward rather than sensational. If compared to other European art films, this one uses natural light as well as a simplistic style that portrays love and sexual themes realistically.

The major focus of this film can be compared to the emerging trend of European cinema whereby in Portuguese ‘human connection’ is expressed indirectly, so to speak, by observing a process. There is also the detail, such films should be easy to recall among the spectators or, for example, the works of the famous Éric Rohmer, who is also fond of painting calm human relations against a background of beautiful views.

Film Techniques

Visuals: Intimate cinematography with heavy use of close ups and natural lighting in order to expose the characters emotions and feelings.

Pacing: The pace is encouraged to be slow and smooth allowing audiences to appreciate and undress moments before hand and portray it as real life progression.

Sound Design: Dialogue and music remain absent with a focus on ambient sounds to create a minimalist environment.

Viewer Considerations

As its title suggests, Skin. Like. Sun is a film aimed for mature audiences who enjoy arthouse films. Nakedness and intimacy is a film that a great chunk of the audiences would disagree with however for viewers who prefer slow cinema will find it rather entertaining as it does retain its ambiguity. Its approach might not sit well with mystery lovers or fast paced narrative film fans, but it certainly is an engaging topic at the very least for storytellers and self reflective cinema enthusiasts.

If You Liked This Film…

The following movies are perfect for viewers who seek a similar narrative or have similar cinema language:

“In the Mood for Love” (2000) – Wong Kar-wai candidly invites viewers to experience an artpiece that tackles the universal theme of untold passion.

“Blue is the Warmest Color” (2013) – A full portrayal of love and want full with a diverse ease of expression, this french movie has it all elements.

“Before Sunrise” (1995) – Linklater presents us at Viena during one day of intimacy between two shadows.

“Call Me by Your Name” (2017) – Set within the romantic air and the rolling hills of Italy’s countryside, this movie tells of a love longing to be discovered.

“The Dreamers” (2003) – Set in Paris in 1968 The Dreamers aims to deeply penetrate with a plot focusing on love, friendship and sensuality.

Is there any image from these movies that you would like a more in-depth analysis of or expands a related theme regarding cinema?

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