Unveiled (2005)
A haunting German drama about identity, survival, and unexpected love — told through the eyes of an Iranian refugee living as someone else.
Unveiled - Movie Information
- Original Title: Fremde Haut
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Angelina Maccarone
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: Russian, German, Persian, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 20, 2005 (Germany), March 20, 2007 (France)
- Alternative Titles: 異国の肌 (JP), W obcej skórze (PL)
- Production Companies: Fischer Film, MMM Film Zimmermann & Co.
- Production Countries: Austria, Germany
Unveiled - Plot
Survival is not enough. Fariba Tabrizi has made it. Under peril of death she has fled from Iran. In Germany she has no alternative way of avoiding the threat of deportation other than to assume the identity of a deceased co-detainee. So what happens after a few month in which she has tried to come to terms with a situation which is actually an insufferable one for her? How does Fariba live not only in this external state of exile but also in an inner state of exile? The term "in orbit" is officially used by the UN to refer to asylum-seekers who find themselves orbiting around planet Earth because they can actually find legal domicile nowhere at all.
Unveiled - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Fariba's extraordinary story unfold:
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Unveiled - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Angelina Maccarone
Main Cast
- Jasmin Tabatabai
- Anneke Kim Sarnau
- Navid Navid
- Georg Friedrich
- Jens Münchow
- Ruth Wohlschlegel
- Monika Hansen
- Nina Vorbrodt
- Hinnerk Schönemann
- Simon Schwarz
Writers
- Angelina Maccarone
- Judith Kaufmann
Producers
- Ulrike Zimmermann
Unveiled - FAQs
What is Unveiled about?
Unveiled follows Fariba Tabrizi, an Iranian woman who flees to Germany seeking asylum. Facing deportation, she assumes the identity of a deceased male co-detainee to survive. The film explores her double exile — stateless in a foreign land and trapped inside a life that isn't hers — while an unexpected love story quietly unfolds.
Does Fariba find love while living as a man?
Yes — and it's the emotional heart of the film. While living as a man in a German factory town, Fariba falls for Anne, a local woman. Their relationship is tender and complicated, layered with questions of identity, gender, and belonging. It's a love story that neither character could have anticipated.
Is Unveiled based on a true story?
Unveiled is not based on a single documented case, but it draws on the very real experiences of asylum seekers caught in legal limbo — what the UN calls being "in orbit." Director Angelina Maccarone grounded the story in genuine political and human rights realities facing refugees in Europe.
Where can you watch Unveiled online?
Streaming availability for Unveiled varies by region and changes over time. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current rental, purchase, and streaming options across all major platforms in your country. It's the quickest way to find where the film is available right now.
Who plays Fariba in Unveiled?
Jasmin Tabatabai delivers a remarkable performance as Fariba Tabrizi, the Iranian refugee at the center of the story. Anneke Kim Sarnau plays Anne, the woman Fariba falls for. The cast also includes Navid Navid, Georg Friedrich, and Jens Münchow in key supporting roles.
What does the original German title Fremde Haut mean?
Fremde Haut translates literally as "foreign skin" or "strange skin" in English. It's a deeply resonant title — Fariba is not only living in a foreign country but inhabiting someone else's identity entirely, wearing a life that doesn't belong to her. The English title Unveiled captures a different but equally meaningful dimension.
How was Unveiled received by critics?
Unveiled earned strong praise on the international festival circuit, winning the Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival for Best Feature Film. Critics highlighted Jasmin Tabatabai's nuanced lead performance and Angelina Maccarone's sensitive direction, praising the film's ability to weave political urgency with intimate human emotion.
Did Unveiled win any awards?
Yes — Unveiled won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival, one of cinema's most respected prizes for LGBTQ+ themed films. The recognition helped bring the film to wider international audiences and cemented its place as a landmark in both queer and refugee cinema.
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