Summary: Based on the life story of Sandra Laing, a light-skinned black woman who was born to White parents in 1950s apartheid South Africa. Laing struggles with issues of racial identity from her family, the court system and her community.

Review: Anyone who has been effected by light versus dark skin will be floored at Skin, based on a true story. Once upon a time, race was a legal system and for Sandra Laing, who was born to white parents (blood tests proved the Laings were her biological parents),  she looked like a light-skinned black girl. Tucked away in a rural area, Sandra is shocked when she attends school and her Blackness is made obvious by hateful classmates, even though she cries, “I am not black!” Lines like this echo classics like Imitation of Life and Pinky.

For legal reasons, Laing’s race goes from White to colored to White to back to colored. Laing’s parents love her but are clearly disgusted by her Blackness, especially her father. In one scene her father ecstatically shouts, “She’s white again! She’s white again!” Still not satisfied, Sandra attempts to lighten and bleach her skin. Scenes like these are painful to watch, which might be an experience specific to African-Americans, but Skin goes so deep, bringing up our global roots that we sometimes like to ignore.

Skin is directed by Anthony Fabian, which is his first feature length. While the movie unravels typically, its delivery is satisfying and keeps the audience intrigued. But, it is the shock factor of Laing’s story that keeps your jaw to the floor: The physical abuse from her parents, the cruelty of the court system, violence from educators and even how Black Africans turn their back on Laing. Laing lived a painful, rejected and lonely life. Sadly, according to published reports, Laing’s two other brothers refuse to speak to her to this day.

Sandra Laing is played by the consistently superb Sophie Okonedo. Her performance is extremely subtle, head bowed and talking softly, which at times feels sluggish. Okonedo never gets the epic monologue or climactic emotional moment that is so important for dramatic tearjerkers. However, in watching footage of the real-life Sandra Laing, she seems to be a quiet spirit, very close to what Okonedo portrayed. Therefore, Okonedo did her job.

All of the other performances are just as solid. Alice Krige and Sam Neill easily capture the parents who are loving, but delusional racists. Laing’s love interest is Tony Kgoroge, who has a commanding presence and I can only hope we will see more of him.

Towards the end, Skin loses some of its color, but the movie remains as a powerful and untold story about race.

On another note, Sandra’s father took a blood test to prove he was indeed her father. Her “Blackness” was regarded as a “genetic abnormality,” however, some scholars contend that blood tests were not scientifically reliable measurements of paternity. It was 1955, and DNA tests were unimaginable.  Although Laing’s parents are both deceased, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a DNA test done today if Mr. Laing would still be her father. I have never heard of a “genetic abnormality” creating a child who looks distinctly Black – Maury Povich would probably say, “You are not the father!”

Skin is in select theaters now.

While “The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards” is this Sunday, the NAACP announced their 40th Annual Image Award nominations yesterday.  Nominees include Will Smith, Don Cheadle, and Derek Luke.  Also, the five main cast members from “The Secret Life of Bees” all received nominations.  According to NAACP.org:

“The ABC network leads with a total of 24 nominations, followed by CBS with 14, and The CW and NBC both with 10. HBO has 9, with FOX coming in with 7. Television shows ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’ received 6 nominations, followed by ‘Ugly Betty’ with 5 and ‘Everybody Hates Chris’, ‘The Game’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ each with 4.

Columbia Records leads the Recording category with 8 nominations, including 5 for Beyoncé. J Records and Arista both followed with 6 nominations apiece, and Island Def Jam has 4.

In the Motion Picture category, Fox Searchlight received 11 nominations. Sony Music Films/Parkwood Pictures follows with 7 nominations, and Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate and Sony Pictures Classics each have 3.”

The 40th NAACP Image Awards will be hosted by Tyler Perry and Oscar-winner Halle Berry on Thursday, February 12th.  Click here for the complete list of nomiees.

Well, the year is officially over.  2008 has been a quiet year for African-Americans in film.  Last year we had The Great Debaters, American Gangster, Talk to Me — however, this year there were very films telling stories about African-American life.  Still, you can’t ignore the performances, whether heavy and emotional or fun and fashionable.  Here are the best performances from African-American actors in 2008:

10. Will Smith in Seven Pounds

While not the best film, Smith still gave a great performance.  If anything was right about Seven Pounds, it was Will Smith.

9. Jada Pinkett Smith in The Women

Okay, I know The Women was an awful movie.  Nonetheless, it was Jada’s character that gave the film some life.  She played a lesbian, which was not in the original movie and managed to add some soul to a drab cast and trite script.  Jada makes anything look good.

8. Jennifer Hudson in Sex and the City

J-Hud beat out Kelly Rowland for this role and while some criticized her for taking a supporting role after winning an Oscar, this was a good look.  She played the role of Louise, who was Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant.

7.  Brandon T. Jackson in Tropic Thunder

Jackson held his own with comedic legends like Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. Tropic Thunder wasn’t without its controversy (Downey playing a white guy who is playing black), Jackson’s character said everything black audiences were thinking.  Hopefully we will see more from Jackson in the not so distant future.

6. Douglas Silva in City of Men

Douglas Silva is a Brazilian actor who starred in the critically acclaimed City of God and the television series City of Men.  City of Men the film was released in the U.S. this year, which tells the story of Acerola (Silva) and his best friend turning eighteen.  A drug war breaks out and the two friends are tested beyond their limits.

5. Thandie Newton in Rocknrolla

The always stunning Newton gave a sizzling performance as the sassy and edgy Stella in Guy Ritchie’s Rocknrolla.  The Brit action-comedy revolves around clumsy criminals trying to get rich quick.

4. Sophie Okonedo in Secret Life of Bees

Okonedo is another underrated actress and her brilliance is hard to deny in any film.  She was the standout in Secret Life of Bees, holding her own among Grammy and Oscar winners.

3. Viola Davis in Doubt

Davis has been in film and television for over ten years and is just getting the attention she deserves.  Her performance in Doubt has already earned her a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar nod is a strong possibility.

2. Taraji P. Henson in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Taraji P. Henson might possibly be the next Halle Berry. She has grown from her days in 2001’s Baby Boy.  Now, she is getting recognition across the world for her performance as Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Henson received a SAG nomination and might battle out the Oscar with Viola Davis.

1. Jeffrey Wright in Cadillac Records

Littered with mixed reviews, Cadillac Records wasn’t the smash hit everyone hoped for. Whatever the case, you can’t ignore Wright’s performance as the legendary Muddy Waters.  Nearly every review praised his skills and he definitely has a bright future in Hollywood. If Cadillac Records would’ve been better written and executed, Wright would’ve had the year Jamie Foxx had with 2005’s Ray.

See you in the ‘09!