Skinning

Set during the late 2000s in Belgrade, against the backdrop of post-Kosovo independence tensions. Protests outside the American embassy anchor the film's opening, signaling political volatility. The story follows a math-obsessed high school student navigating school life and a radicalized subculture.

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, serves as the film's backdrop, blending urban streets, schools, and public protests. The city hosts a high school math environment with gifted students and competitions, alongside a tense political climate reflected in protests outside the American embassy after Kosovo's 2008 declaration. The narrative threads through Belgrade's neighborhoods, universities, and football culture as a microcosm of post-1990s Serbia.

🔥 Radicalization

The story traces how Novica is pulled from academic excellence into a racist subculture led by Relja. It shows peer pressure, seduction, and the allure of belonging that radicalizes a vulnerable teen. The film then escalates to violence, culminating in a murder, highlighting the cost of extremist ideologies.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Novica's choice to help Relja during the cheating incident and his subsequent silence about Stanislav reveals a conflict between loyalty, fear, and personal ethics. Lidija's insistence that Novica seek help shows the possibility of redemption, though consequences linger. The film explores how small acts of omission can transform a person's moral landscape.

🗞️ Media and Politics

The opening news footage juxtaposes real-world protests with the character's arc, showing how media frames political events and personal identity. The Kosovo independence context colors the youths' worldview and justifies violent rhetoric for some characters. The film suggests media and politics are co-constructors of social fear.