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The director of "The Man Who Sold His Skin" eliminates the owner of the true story

The film, in which the actress "Monica Bellucci" starred, tells the story of the Syrian refugee who left his country to Lebanon to meet the girl of his dreams. However, his circumstances prevented him from marrying her, while she married and traveled. the owner
After that, the Syrian refugee in Lebanon allows his back to become a canvas for a famous tattoo artist. He sells his back and turns it into a piece of art, serving him as a visa, where he hopes to reunite with his love in Europe.
The real hero
The Syrian artist, Wassim Abdel Majid, told the Levantnews about a fraud he was exposed to in the film that was one of the 56 films nominated for the 93rd Academy Awardsthe Oscars. The film is based on his true story, However he was eventually eliminated.
Abdul-Majid said that in 2007, he had obstacles in his official papers including identity card, and as a result he lost all his civil rights. The problems continued for 3 years until 2011.
The theatre artist added that these problems have become an obsession for him, as he has turned into a strange person in his homeland, and he does not have any document that he can use to rent a car and so on.
The outbreak of the Syrian revolution
After the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, in 2011, an amnesty was granted by the Syrian regime. For the first time, Abdul Majid was able to hire a lawyer, and took back his identity card and the military service book.
Wassim, who was 30 years at the time, managed to obtain a Syrian passport, which enabled him to leave Syria, and head to Dubai for the first time.
The fraud
After 3 years of working with MBC, Abdul Majid met the Tunisian director, Kaouther Ben Hania, at the Dubai Film Festival.
A conversation took place between Abdul Majid and Kaouther Ben Hania. He told her about the obstacles he faced in Syria and the director showed an interest in the story.
According to him, they agreed on working together on the “Man who sold his skin”. However, the Tunisian director soon eliminated him from the film. the owner
Abdul Majid co-wrote the script. After signing a contract with a French company, Kaouther rescinded the contract and signed a new one.
Wassim confirmed that he wrote the film along with the Tunisian director, referring to a love relationship brought them together.
He explained that he married Kaouther, revealing that he had correspondence with the French Ministry of Culture, and that he had obtained an artist residency in France. Accompanied by the director, he attended several festivals and workshops supporting independent film production.
The film received writing and development grants in more than one festival, in Sweden, France and Belgium. The film was completed after he married Kaouther, then things began to change.
He pointed out that he has the help of some friends and associations linked with human and refugee rights in Europe.
A legal file is now being worked on in partnership with some lawyers to prove his initial writing of the film. He confirmed not giving up his moral and artistic right, because he discovered that he was a technical laboratory that was exploited, emotionally, physically and spiritually. At the end, he was expelled from France. and his life destroyed due to this.
Later, he obtained a visa through the American international director, Michael Moore, and left for the United States of America, noting that the case is now being decided by the French judiciary.
Abdul Majid concluded that he watched the film in Los Angeles, and that he is very happy with it, but at the same time he is sad about the fraud he faced morally and professionally.
It is noteworthy that the Syrian Wassim Abdul Majid is a theatre artist. He has many works in Syria, and he is the son of the media professor Abdul Maeen Abdul Majid. the owner
Levantnews-Samer Dahdouh
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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