In the shadow of Mt. Rushmore, one of America's favorite tourist attractions, lies one of the poorest counties, The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Skins is a powerful drama laced with acerbic humor. The film captures the harsh realities of Pine Ridge life with affection and wit, and breaks down negative stereotypes about Native Americans by portraying Mogie as a complex and ultimately very sympathetic human being. Eyre manages to make important points about contemporary Native American life without heavy handedness. His cast is very strong, particularly Greene, who delivers a phenomenal performance in this exceptionally moving and humane film.

This video tells the story of Rudy "Eric Schweig", a policeman, and his older brother Mogie "Graham Greene of The Green Mile", a jobless alcoholic. Mogie had once looked after his kid brother, but his experiences in Vietnam left him a bitter and broken man. Rudy frequently gives money to his mischievous older brother, which Mogie spends on beer. Frustrated with rampant alcoholism and crime on the "rez," Rudy becomes a vigilante. While Rudy thinks he's doing the right thing for his people, his extralegal activities lead to tragedy.

Ultimately, Rudy is able to honor his big brother as well as his people, with one exhilerating and life-affirming act of defiance, revealing the redemptive power of love between two brothers. Screened as part of the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival 2002 and copresented by The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Human Rights Watch.

Reviews for Skins
"...superb performances by Eric Schweig and Graham Greene....Both actors plumb the anguish of their characters with searing force." Movieline 07/01/2002

"...Impressive....Raw and gritty....fills the screen with warmth, humor and spiritual yearning in the face of hardship and tragedy." LA Times 12/13/2002