Men of Hard Skin () is a 2019 Argentinian LGBTQ+ independent drama film, written and directed by José Celestino Campusano. The film stars Wall Javier and Germán Tarantino. It premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2019, before a limited theatrical release throughout Argentina later that year.
Synopsis José Celestino Campusano's exploration of sex, power, and ecclesiastical abuse in Argentine society is a complex and often confrontational piece of work, posing tough questions without resorting to easy answers.
Cast
Reception María Fernanda Mugica of La Nación lauded the filmmaker: "José Celestino Campusano demonstrates his talent to keep viewers' attention, even when he's making them confront difficult scenes." Derek Winnert of DerekWinnert.com praised the film's boldness: "Deep, dour, dark and disturbing, it is commandingly and intensely well done, but not for the faint-hearted and most people, maybe everybody, will want to turn away."
Ben Turner of The Pink Lens derided the film for its penchant for shock value: "A controversial film that is trying a little too hard to shock, this certainly isn't pleasant viewing for a Friday night in." Josefina Sartora of Otrocines concurred: "The story is crude and obvious, with no subtleties." Gaspar Zimerman of Clarín chided the acting: "Most of the cast's lack of experience is evidenced by memorized speeches spoken in an almost scholarly way, without any intonation."
Dave Hall of Gay Celluloid opined the missed opportunity: "The result is a work laced with a number of narrative turns that do nothing for the film, other than add to its running time, having wasted its potential to be a meaningful cinematic testament to the ramifications on those subjected to sexual abuse by those who preach the word of God, but habitually seek absolution for their sins. Enough said."
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