SUNTAN (2016)

 

Directed By: Argyris Papadimitropoulos 

Written By: Argyris Papadimitropoulos and Syllas Tzoumerkas

Cinematography: Hristos Karamanis

Editor: Napoleon Stratogiannakis

Cast: Makis Papadimitriou, Elli Tringou, Dimi Hart, Marcus Collen, Giannis Tsortekis, Pavlos Orkopoulos, Yannis Economidas, Milou Vancroesen, Hera Katseeli 

Kostis is a 40-year-old doctor that finds himself in the small island of Antiparos, in order to take over the local clinic. His whole life and routine will turn upside down and fall apart when he meets an international group of young and beautiful tourists and he falls in love with Anna, a 19-year-old goddess.

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This film is truly disturbing. This is one of those films you watch and observe  rather than watch for entertainment. As this starts off simple and then becomes a nightmare.

As it seems to be almost a middle aged fantasy that takes a wrong turn. Simply as the character takes it too far and instead of being loose and treating it as flirtation. He expects real results and lifetime commitment. Even as he should know better.

It can look like the you get characters are evil, but while annoying they are more innocent. As they Don’t know their own strength and whip at times taking advantage of the main character. They Don’t know that they are building a monster or playing with a bear so to speak.

As they take advantage of his vulnerability at first.

On one level it be can see hey he falls or is seduced by the 21 year old Anna who is gorgeous and practically a goddess to him actually is willing to show him attention. Who treats him nicer then any of her friends, but it soon becomes evident he is more only being nice to them to get closer to her. She even gives him a chance and he blows it a bit and treats it too nonchalant for him. That is when he b owns territorial 

Though we see him as lonely and the island he works for doesn’t offer many singles of any age. Though in the summer season there are mroe age appropriate women for him to pursue. He becomes obsessed with the one. Even as he manages to get with someone else physically. He fixates on Anna 

The film seems to set out to make the audience uncomfortable. As it increasingly becomes more cringe worthy, awkward and volatile as to goes along. Especially in the second half. 

Everytime you think you know what’s going to happen. The film throws a realistic twist. At first everything seems a bit awkward more because he is a shy introvert. So the first half of the film you feel a bit embarrassed for the main character.

Then the second half becomes a full psychological thriller horror film for him. A she breaks down and seems to become an alcoholic and lose touch with his responsibilities and sanity.

At first you have some sympathy for him, but soon he bypasses all of that. Not even listening when others warn him. Like the townfolk.

Now the kids aren’t innocent, but Don’t deserve their fates. As after all they are young and Don’t necessarily know any better nor the power they have over him. As it seems they were using him. But also maybe Had some kind of feelings for him no, never any loyalty.

As One can admit. You can see why he becomes obsessed with the young lady, but also he should know better and practice better judgement. As even when he gets his chance his fantasy he blows it. So to speak, though that seems to be the point of momentum as he has gotten a taste and wants more chances to partake like an addict.

Though obviously he takes it too far

You have hope, but a single action ruins, everything, and in the middle of his downfall he doesn’t quite realize it’s happening to him.

The film has the character start out innocently and then ruining everything Essentially for a fling with a Tourist, and turning his back on the town people, he knows, and is surrounded by an actually support him. That is the depth of his loneliness. We do get hints of a dark past. When he runs into an old colleague. which should be a kind of warning that he has serious issues that are not being talked about or shown, but he still should know better.

The last scenes are especially disturbing where he finally seems to remeber who he is.

Hated the ending. Though it seems to bring him back to reality of what his oath is supposed to be, helping people and trying to heal their wounds. 

The film becomes a character study as the nice guy character who he should be rooting for, becomes the villain of the film, which makes it all the more shocking and scary.

The title of the film can be taken as a metaphor since they are on a tropical island in the summer or you go to the beach you wanna get a nice tan, but you have to be careful when it comes to tanning to little no one sees any difference too much end up getting burned. So you have to find that right balance in between and unfortunately for the main character, he doesn’t maintain that balance

This is definitely a conversation starter and a film her to dissect and talk about with others but it’s also a cruel movie and what some might call. A feel bad film.

Grade: B+