HarlemLIVE

The British actress Sophie Okonedo stars in the emotional biography entitled, “Skin”.  The independent film tells the true story of a South African woman named Sandra Laing who came of age during the half century long period of apartheid.  Sandra was born to white African parents even though she looks black. This extraordinary story examines issues of identity and segregation in South Africa.  Apartheid was a system of legal racial segregation enforced by the National Party government in South Africa which began in 1948 and lasted until 1994

The film starts with the end and immediately flashbacks to Sandra's childhood. Her first encounter with racism happened in elementary school. Other kids stared at her in bewilderment and the teachers with hatred. The teachers ridiculed her because of the color of her skin; the school officials labeled her a disruption. She was eventually expelled from school. Her frustrated dad fought for her rights as a white person despite her appearance. After officially being classified as white African everything seems well until Sandra becomes uncomfortable in her own skin and identity.  She meets and falls in love with Peruis, a black African helper at her parents’ store.  When her parents find out about their daughter’s secret romance Sandra and Peruis get arrested for anti-miscegenation. Her father disowns a pregnant Sandra; she then moves to Swaziland with Pertuis and his mother.

 Okonedo does a good job depicting specific emotions and moods as Sandra. The director’s choice regarding casting was pretty clever.  Okonedo, herself, a biracial woman helped her to portray Sandra. Most true inspired stories are completely converted into something different for the entertainment of the actual story. Sharon Stintson, an older woman who was accompanied by her two friends at the premiere said, "I hope the director sticks to the truth."

The film was shown at the National Black Theatre by ImageNation Cinema Foundation a Harlem-based media arts organization that premiers independent films. Tickets were $15 which included the premiere, performances from a South African band followed by the singing of the South African national anthem.                                                                         Refreshments were also served outside the theatre. The decor of the theatre was black and red and very afro-centric. In fact, most of the audience was African, considering the fact that the directors of ImageNation are South African. There were a few white folks present, but the remainder of the audience was of African descent.

The night was great with a good film, scrumptious food and lovely music. For more information on SKIN, contact ImageNation at www.imagenation.us and or www.nationalblacktheatre.org.