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The Skin I live in

A Skin That Creates Justice:
The Skin I Live In and Law
by Elif Yaren Candan


Pedro Almodóvar’s controversial movie The Skin I Live In (2011) gives the reader many examples of people’s understanding and practising of law. The movie takes place around a character called Vera and she is the one that the audience sees first in the movie. She is in a room and does yoga in a one-piece bodysuit. As the movie progresses, it is indicated that she is, indeed, being kept in this room. Even though it seems like she has no problem with it in the first place, there is a huge problem beneath the tip of the iceberg. A few scenes after the movie focuses on another character Dr. Ledgard, it is shown that Vera has harmed herself, attempting to commit suicide. Right after this scene, the mystery of the movie starts to unfold. Vera is nothing but an experimental subject that Dr. Ledgard uses for his purpose and his understanding of justice. The famous plastic surgeon is a pioneer thanks to his studies of artificial skin resistant to insects and scars. Even though this improvement is a huge step in the medical world, Dr. Ledgard handles his studies illegally and unethically. His methods for his study are against the law, and additionally, the way he uses Vera as an experimental subject is not only morally wrong but also completely illegal. However, his motivations are strong enough to manipulate his thoughts. Thus, he does not care about Vera’s captivity. Around the middle of the movie, the reason why Vera is being kept in the room is revealed: Back in the past, a man named Vicente committed a crime that destroyed the life of Dr. Ledgard’s daughter Norma. Instead of letting Vicente bear the penalty of the crime committed, Dr. Ledgard chooses to punish him himself. Therefore, due to his raging anger, the surgeon carries out the law in his way. No matter what, a person who commits a crime must stand trial before the law since it is their right as a citizen. Dr. Ledgard, with his other acts of illegality, does not give a chance for justice to find its place but creates his own justice. He is not the only person taking justice into his own hands. Vera/Vicente, on the other hand, is well aware of her situation, her captivity, and her enslavement to the surgeon. With the rage of revenge, she does not wait for justice to take place as well. Everything she does in her room, from the paintings on the wall to the programs she watches on the TV serves to her as she plans her own escape and justice. Once she got the chance, she kills Dr. Ledgard, punishing him for everything he has done to her. Both characters depict a problematic resolution for the injustices they have to endure. In the movie The Skin I Live In, there is no place for law or justice but personal punishments that serve as individual justice of characters. Carrying out the enforcement of the law by violating them, the movie clearly sets an example of a world that is dragged into injustice and chaos.