This Chris Martinez-written film provides a curious look at the fascinating worlds of broadcast journalism and pageantry.
As far as local cinema goes, mock documentaries and satire features are a rare sight. The rich and award-winning narratives still belong to the cinematic masterpieces of Lino Brocka, Mario O’Hara, Celso Ad Castillo, Ishmael Bernal, Peque Gallaga, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Gil Portes, and Peque Gallaga, whose visionary films depicted socio-political awakening, albeit tamed to not directly bruise Marcos’s nearly totalitarian regime.
That said, the assignment of dissecting perennial social issues has always been carried out through a purely fictional lens. Bikini Open is somewhat a detour, although it didn’t completely lose the tropes. Jeffrey Jeturian, who directed the show, is best known for bringing familiar and plain narratives to life, and Martinez’s rich, complex, and insightful screenplay, was a challenge.
Bikini Open fixes its lens on the world of sexy pageantry, with seemingly primary intent to shed light on the lives of the contestants. That being said, the film is arguably better known for delivering an intrigue-laden insight on how mass media and its big players, go to extra lengths to exploit people’s lives, for the sake of entertainment.
Martinez’s sharp and witty screenplay provides the film the gear to rise beyond the ordinary, and deliver a dark comedy that feels well beyond its time.
The film draws a unique viewpoint on how society sees and portrays sexiness in media. A [distinct] reminder that being sexy isn’t all about shedding clothes in Bikini Open. Martinez offered a curious commentary about society’s obsession in establishing judgment based on the norm.
Picache’s role, a TV journalist, proved to be the meatiest in the film. The sexy stars who also made headlines for their roles in the film also provided an ‘interesting’ look at how small and practically invisible players of this field play and survive.
Among the major stars who starred in the film included Eugene Domingo, Diana Zubiri, Francine Prieto, Nina Ricci Alagao, Rafael Rosell, Alfred Vargas, JE Sison, Roxy Ramirez, Darling Lavinia, Ricky Davao, Marissa Delgado, Rodel Velayo, Racquel Montesa, Eva Darren, Tim Yap, and Ricky Rivero.
Browse through the photo gallery below to view set photos from the film. Let us know your thoughts and recollection about it in the comment section.
