Skin Deep (1995 film)
Encyclopedia
Plot
Skin Deep tells the story of an award winning director, Alex Koyama (Natsuko Ohama), who is in the process of making a film about the tattooTattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
industry, and the love and obsession that can arise in the "skin art" culture. Conflict develops between Koyama and her lesbian lover / assistant, Montana (Melanie Nicholls-King) when Koyama hires a new production assistant, Chris (Keram Malicki-Sánchez
Keram Malicki-Sanchez
Keram Malicki-Sánchez is a Canadian actor, singer, writer, new media guru, and music and film producer.-Early life & acting career:...
), who is transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
and quickly becomes obsessed with Koyama.
Themes
Skin Deep explores themes of love, obsession, and identity (both gender identityGender identity
A gender identity is the way in which an individual self-identifies with a gender category, for example, as being either a man or a woman, or in some cases being neither, which can be distinct from biological sex. Basic gender identity is usually formed by age three and is extremely difficult to...
and sexual orientation identity
Sexual orientation identity
Sexual orientation identity describes how persons identify their own sexuality. In addition, they may choose not to identify their sexual orientation, or dis-identify with a sexual orientation.This may or may not relate to their actual sexual orientation...
), using the tattoo as a metaphor for identity change and identity hiding.
Production
Skin Deep was written, directed, and co-produced by Onodera. It was produced in cooperation with the National Film Board of CanadaNational Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
, with funding from
- the Canada CouncilCanada CouncilThe Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
- the Ontario Arts CouncilOntario Arts CouncilThe Ontario Arts Council is a publicly-funded Canadian organization in the province of Ontario whose purpose is to promote and assist the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of all Ontarians...
- Canadian Heritage: Multiculturalism Program
- National Association of Japanese Canadians
- Racial Equity Fund – OFDC & LIFT
- the Toronto Lesbian & Gay Appeal