Under the City's Skin

Under the City's Skin

Year: 2003

Runtime: 92 min

Language: Persian

Director: Rakhshan Bani Etemad

Drama

A poignant drama set in Iran, this film follows a mother facing the difficulties of raising her family alone. She strives to provide for her loved ones while dealing with her husband’s disability and the manipulative nature of her eldest son. The story explores themes of societal expectations and the resilience of a mother striving to overcome adversity.

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Timeline – Under the City's Skin (2003)

Trace every key event in Under the City's Skin (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Mysterious Woman's Introduction

The film opens with a striking visual of a ball of light transforming into a vigilant eye, symbolizing the mysterious woman at the center of the narrative. This intriguing introduction sets a foreboding tone that permeates the story.

2

Discovery of the Body

An unknown man on a motorcycle reaches a dark tunnel, where he retrieves the lifeless body of a young woman. This unsettling act sets the stage for the eerie events that follow and hints at the darker themes of the film.

Dark tunnel
3

The White Room Revelation

In an eerily bright white room, another young woman, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, undresses the deceased woman. A poignant moment unfolds as a tear falls from her eye, suggesting an inexplicable connection to the lifeless body.

White room
4

Exploring Her Surroundings

The mysterious woman begins to explore a rundown house where the motorcycle man waits outside. Her surroundings reflect the isolation and intrigue surrounding her character, deepening the film's sense of mystery.

Rundown house
5

Shopping in Glasgow

The woman navigates the bustling streets of Glasgow, carefully selecting men's clothing at a shopping mall. This unsettling display of her predatory nature unfolds as she questions men about their lives and motivations.

Glasgow shopping mall
6

The Lure and the Trap

In a haunting sequence, she successfully lures a man into a stark room. As he seemingly sinks into the floor under her spell, the chilling nature of her actions is revealed, establishing a monstrous pattern.

Stark room
7

The Beach Encounter

At a beach, she passively observes the drama unfolding around her before choosing to attack a man who intervenes. This pivotal moment solidifies her as a cold, calculated entity on a destructive mission.

Beach
8

Awakening to Emotions

Throughout her monstrous actions, she begins to awaken to human emotions and forms subtle connections, particularly with a man who shows her kindness amidst the cruelty that surrounds her.

9

Confronting Her True Nature

In an emotionally charged climax, the woman confronts her true nature during an intimate moment that reveals her incomplete alien form. This confrontation triggers a series of intense events as she grapples with her identity.

10

The Fleeing in the Forest

Following the confrontation, she flees into a forest, experiencing a sense of disarray and confusion. An unsettling encounter with a ranger culminates in tragedy, propelling her deeper into turmoil.

Forest
11

Transformation into a Silhouette

In a horrifying turn of events, she is attacked while attempting to escape, resulting in her transformation into a fiery silhouette. This metaphorical representation serves as a haunting image of her ultimate demise.

12

Remnants of Existence

The film’s somber conclusion presents the remnants of her existence as a pile of ash. This imagery emphasizes the impermanence of her life and the struggles she faced in understanding humanity.

13

The Final Scene of Reflection

As snow gently falls from the sky, the final scene contrasts the dark themes of the film. It leaves the audience with profound questions about identity, empathy, and the complexities of finding one’s place in an often alien world.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 05:27

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Under the City's Skin Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Under the City's Skin, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Under the City's Skin Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Under the City's Skin

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Under the City's Skin

More About Under the City's Skin

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