In this unusual Western, Pietro and Domenico set out to hunt a bear that is threatening a village in the mountains. The deeper they go into the forest, the closer the estranged father and son become. The Bear Skin is the debut feature film from a new Italian director who has a profound understanding of frame, light and genre. His meticulous attention to detail in individual shots is clear through changing chroma, light and shadow on scenery, in accordance with the passage of time. The director gives attention to objects as if he were creating a still life painting, while the rhythm of the camera mouvement fits the contexts of the story. The frequent appearance of frames with a backlit door or window creating extreme contrast of light and shadow, and solemn visuals of mountains surrounding people marching are reminiscent of traditional John Ford Westerns. This is a story about father and son who try to recover dignity through a challenge to Mother Nature, symbolized by the bear they are hunting. Overall, a noteworthy, creative Western from a talented newcomer.(RHEE Souewon)