originalskin_still
    Original Skin
    ABOUT THE PROJECT

    LOGLINE
    ORIGINAL SKIN is the inspiring true story of a scrappy punk in 90s Philly who became a neo-Nazi, and his transformative journey to fight against the very movement he once led.

    SYNOPSIS
    ORIGINAL SKIN is the incredible stranger-than-fiction true story of Frank Meeink, a former neo-Nazi who left extremism behind and transformed from villain to hero (and after a surprising 23andMe result—he actually became a practicing Jew!) Frank, once one of the most prominent violent racists in American white supremacy, is now a leading voice in the fight against extremism.

    Exploring the rise of white supremacy in 1990s America through the lens of one man’s transformation, this scripted feature film examines the forces that draw vulnerable youth into extremist movements and violent ideologies. Perhaps more importantly, the film profiles how one can leave white nationalism behind. ORIGINAL SKIN, from Oscar nominated writer/ director Sam French and Emmy-nominated producer Sara Taksler, is an origin story for the moment America is in right now and a blueprint for the way out.

    ORIGINAL SKIN is not a sermon. It’s a wild ride that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go until the credits roll. Inspired by the golden age of ‘90s movies: Visceral. Stylish. Gritty. Raw. Sharp as a razor and brimming with soul. Frank will make you laugh. He’ll piss you off. He’ll break your heart. And somehow—by the end—you’ll fall in love with him.


    PROJECT TYPE Narrative Feature

    DIRECTOR Sam French
    SCREENWRITER Sam French
    PRODUCER Sara Taksler



    🎬 Support independent film through The Film Collaborative

    The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers.

    Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081

    Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.


    💳 Ways to Give
    • Online:
      Click the Donate button above. You can:
      • Use your PayPal account, or
      • Check out as a guest with your debit/credit card — no PayPal account required.
    • ACH or Wire
      Email us for instructions.
    • Check
      Checks are accepted, but for time and security reasons, electronic donations are preferred when possible.
      Check donation instructions are here.
    • Stock
      Donating appreciated stock can increase your impact by up to 20%.
      Learn more about advantages of stock donations here.
      Email us for instructions.
    • Donor-Advised Funds (DAF):
      Instructions for donating from a DAF are here.

    📈 Maximize Your Gift
    • Many employers offer matching gifts, doubling or even tripling your donation. Some match contributions up to a year after they’re made.
    • When donating via PayPal, consider covering the small processing fee to make the most of your gift toward the project.

    📄 Tax Receipts
    • In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts are issued for the amount TFC receives after payment processor fees are deducted.
    • PDF tax receipts are emailed within 30 days of your online donation.
    • The “receipt” immediately sent by PayPal is only a payment confirmation — it is not your tax receipt.

    Thank you for helping bring powerful independent films to life.

    ID: 781