Suntan movie review

I first watched Suntan the movie before this site was launched and I wasn’t sure that it fit. But recently someone posted about it online so I figured I’d give it another viewing and post this review.

Summary

On a hedonistic Greek island, a doctor becomes obsessed with a young tourist when she lets him tag along with her group of hard-partying friends.

Naturist Interest

There is quite a bit of social nudity in a naturist context depicted in the film. Family naturism is briefly expressed in a tasteful non explicit manner.  Mixed use of a clothing optional beach is shown where people wearing swimsuits enjoy the beach alongside, and among, those who are naked without problems. None of the characters spend time away from the beach naked. So I would describe them as more like social nudists than naturists. The non sexual social nudity has only a few fleeting moments of screen time. There is however sexual behavior that  in my opinion overshadows this naturist interest.

Story

There is a sexual tension between the main characters and “covered” physician. Throughout the film this serves to surface two concurrent themes. These themes are body positivity, and sexual/non sexual nakedness, two themes that seem ever present in today’s nudist conversation. This particularly true online. The two themes are captured on screen by the struggles of the main character, a 40 year old doctor Kostis played by Makis Papadimitriou. He is recently relocated to a Greek island as the doctor for the holiday season. This island seems to be a non stop party island where nakedness and sex is common place. Among the slim and svelte bodies of new found “friends” the body image of the main character is anything but positive. While others readily undress to enjoy the sun and water, he struggles with his body image despite being a physician.

Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Elli Tringou in SUNTAN Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Elli Tringou and Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Elli Tringou and Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN Makis Papadimitriou in SUNTAN

This struggle along with a sexual attraction that is only briefly requited, forms the basis for the plot of the film. The inability of the main character to fit to in and manage his sexual attraction seems to overwhelm him. This creates a kind of poetic irony. While he doesn’t burn on the outside, inside he is burning in more ways than one on the inside. He is unable to be respectful in his behavior as his actions start to spiral out of control. This is an issue that newbies and others sometimes experience in nudist spaces.

Acting

The acting is top notch in this film. Makis Papadimitriou plays the role of a doctor going through something of a midlife crisis with understated expertise. Whenever an actor can portray a character in a way that moves me the viewer from empathy to sympathy to repugnance I believe they have done a good job. The supporting cast do an equally effective job a portraying their characters. All around the acting was excellent.

Production

The production works. The pale almost faded camera tones used by the cinematographer, appropriately reflects the faded personality and desperation of the main character. The camera angles and cuts show the viewer just enough to get what is happening, without becoming explicit or prurient. The director and editor can be commended for an excellent release cut. From the tight shots of the pained face of the main character, to the slightly blurred background presence of the not so friendly friends, it plain just works.

Conclusion

While the depiction  of social nudity at the clothing optional beach was authentic,  beyond those initial scenes there is nothing more of naturist interest to recommend the film. These fleeting scenes will suffice to recommend for some,  but I was left wanting a more thorough exploration of the body image issues of Kostis. The director opts instead,  to focus on the sexual attraction which devolves into sexual obsession. Due to the acts of sexual assault depicted I cannot give a full throated viewing recommendation of this film without a warning. The acting is well done and the story engaging. However, it may be triggering for some and is definitely not appropriate for viewing by anyone under the age of 18. Viewers should be forewarned. Visit the movie page to see the trailer and learn where to watch. Then return to bare your thought in a review.

 

Trailer