The Skin of the Wolf is a Spanish film directed by Samu Fuentes, released in 2017. It stars Mario Casas as Martinón, Irene Escolar as Lucía, and Ruth Díaz as the mother of a baby girl whom Martinón seeks to marry.
Martinón is a solitary man who has lived all his life in the mountains. He makes a living by hunting wolves and selling their skins. His only companion is a dog that he raised from a puppy. Martinón's soul is as calloused as his hands, and he chooses to live in isolation. However, one day, a young woman named Lucía comes to Auzal in search of a better life. Martinón agrees to take her as his wife and the two begin a life together in the mountains.
Lucía is not accustomed to the harsh conditions of life in the mountains, and Martinón struggles to connect with her. While he’s kind and supportive to her, their relationship is lacking in intimacy as Martinón has no experience in that field. The villagers who attend the wedding are shocked that Martinón is finally marrying, indicate that he has become a local legend and rumours have it that he is half-wolf.
One day, a woman comes to the mountains with a baby girl, who she claims is Martinón's daughter. This revelation shakes up Martinón, who begins to feel more connected to the world around him. He starts to feel the weight of how his isolation has cost him dearly and is determined to build a new family.
The Skin of the Wolf is a visually stunning film, with breathtaking landscapes and a minimalist storytelling style. The story is one of redemption and self-discovery, and beautifully illustrates how human connection can shape who we are. It poses the question of how much we should truly give up for a life of solitude, and what makes one happy.
