Watch Bikini Moon

Bikini Moon is a film directed by Milcho Manchevski, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. The movie primarily revolves around Trevor (Will Janowitz), a war veteran who seeks meaning in life after his return from military service. The fictional story takes place in a modern-day America, where social inequality is widespread, and people are struggling to survive.

Trevor becomes involved in a social experiment organized by an aspiring filmmaker, Dakota (Condola Rashad). The experiment aims to create a documentary about a homeless woman, Bikini (Sarah Goldberg), who lives in a park in New York City. Dakota wants to try a new approach, focusing on Bikini's life story and aspirations rather than portraying her as a victim.

Bikini Moon is not a conventional film, but rather a unique combination of documentary and fiction. The movie's narrative structure is nonlinear, and the scenes switch between the characters' stories, revealing their personal struggles and perspectives. Despite the film's experimental nature, the characters' performances and Manchevski's direction keep the audience engaged throughout the story.

The character development in Bikini Moon is notable, especially Bikini's backstory. Through her interactions with Trevor and Dakota, Bikini's past is unveiled, showcasing the harsh reality of being a victim of domestic abuse. Goldberg's portrayal of Bikini is sensitively crafted, and her performance brings authenticity to the story. Dakota and Trevor's characters also have their own personal struggles, which make their participation in the project more meaningful.

Another notable aspect of the film is its commentary on media and society's treatment of the homeless population. The film highlights the hypocrisy of social media activism as well as the exploitation of homeless individuals for personal gain. In one of the scenes, Dakota is accused of exploiting Bikini to make a profit from her documentary, which raises the question of how genuine the so-called social justice warriors' intentions are.

Bikini Moon's cinematography is another element that adds to the film's uniqueness. The documentary-style scenes are juxtaposed with dream-like sequences, adding a layer of surrealism to the film. The film's color scheme, which includes vibrant hues and washed-out greys, is significant in portraying the contrasting reality of the characters' lives.

The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, as it features original songs by Bikini, played by Sarah Goldberg. The songs add emotional depth to the story and showcase the talent and versatility of Goldberg's character. The music also adds a layer of cultural authenticity, as Bikini's character is originally from Ukraine.

In summary, Bikini Moon is a thought-provoking film that will leave audiences reflecting on their own perceptions of social inequality and media representation. The film's unique blend of documentary and fiction, coupled with standout performances by Condola Rashad, Sarah Goldberg, and Will Janowitz, make it a standout piece of cinematic art that deserves recognition.

Bikini Moon is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 57.