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IMDbPro

Undertow

Original title: Contracorriente
  • 20092009
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
6.9K
YOUR RATING
Undertow (2009)
In a Peruvian seaside village, a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
12 Photos
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Romance
An unusual ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.An unusual ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.An unusual ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
6.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Javier Fuentes-León
  • Writer
    • Javier Fuentes-León
  • Stars
    • Cristian Mercado
    • Tatiana Astengo
    • Manolo Cardona
Top credits
  • Director
    • Javier Fuentes-León
  • Writer
    • Javier Fuentes-León
  • Stars
    • Cristian Mercado
    • Tatiana Astengo
    • Manolo Cardona
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 46User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 wins & 13 nominations

    Videos1

    Contracorriente (Undertow)
    Trailer 2:16
    Contracorriente (Undertow)

    Photos12

    Manolo Cardona and Cristian Mercado in Undertow (2009)
    Manolo Cardona in Undertow (2009)
    Manolo Cardona and Cristian Mercado in Undertow (2009)
    Manolo Cardona and Cristian Mercado in Undertow (2009)
    Manolo Cardona and Cristian Mercado in Undertow (2009)
    Manolo Cardona in Undertow (2009)
    Undertow (2009)
    Undertow (2009)
    Undertow (2009)
    Undertow (2009)
    Undertow (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Cristian Mercado
    Cristian Mercado
    • Miguelas Miguel
    Tatiana Astengo
    • Marielaas Mariela
    Manolo Cardona
    Manolo Cardona
    • Santiagoas Santiago
    Attilia Boschetti
    • Sra. La Rosaas Sra. La Rosa
    José Chacaltana
    • Héctoras Héctor
    Maria Edelmira Palomino
    • Doña Floras Doña Flor
    Humberto Cavero
    • Padre Juanas Padre Juan
    • (as Julio Humberto Cavero)
    Haydeé Cáceres
    • Trinidadas Trinidad
    Emilram Cossío
    • Patoas Pato
    Cindy Díaz
    • Isauraas Isaura
    Juan Pablo Olivos
    • Tanoas Tano
    Christian Fernandez
    • Jacintoas Jacinto
    Mónica Rossi
    • Anaas Ana
    Germán González
    • Dr. Fernandezas Dr. Fernandez
    Liliana Alegría
    • Carlotaas Carlota
    • (as Liliana Alegria Saavedra)
    Tomas Fernandez
    • Sabinoas Sabino
    • (as Tomás Fernández)
    Alfonso Gamboa
    • Sergioas Sergio
    Jaziel Yenque Veliz
    • Bebéas Bebé
    • Director
      • Javier Fuentes-León
    • Writer
      • Javier Fuentes-León
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although both main characters are Peruvian, the actors who play them are not. Cristian Mercado (the Fisherman) is Bolivian and Manolo Cardona (the Photographer) is Colombian.
    • Quotes

      Miguel: I can't love you. It's not right.

    • Connections
      Features Direito de Amar (1987)

    User reviews46

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A beautiful, unique and creative film, and one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at a feature film in a long time!
    One of the best new films exploring gay male identity, love and relationships, and likely will be a worthy addition to many personal "favorite gay films" lists, although the fact that the film is set in a town, and to some extent a culture, where, at least for a large part of the story, many in the town have not yet evolved in their views of LGBT people and issues, created some (ultimate unnecessary) anxiety for me early in the film, and at parts throughout, as to whether the film would be a throwback to older, more stereotyped and limited representations and stories of gay life, although those anxieties were not only relieved by the end of the film, but, as I suggested, the film is an extremely valuable addition to the new wave of gay cinema.

    The writer, director, casting director and cast, cinematographer, set designer and other members of the film-making team also do a great job exploring rural, small town life, with its traditions (religious and otherwise...) superstitions, and class differences, and the interplay among the individuals, families and community who inhabit the town, along with the welcome (or rejection...) given to a stranger who comes there, and who many perceive as a threat to the social fabric of the town, and the support (or lack of it...) the townspeople and characters show to each other, ultimately examining the struggle between bigotry and ignorance, on the one hand, and the struggle to overcome that bigotry and ignorance, and replace it with support, respect and love on the other. Most of the townspeople are not financially well-off, but make just enough to get by, working in occupations connected to fishing and the sea, and the way they relate, individually and as a community, to each other (and to themselves, in regard to what is the true definition of a man, of an individual's self-respect) in light of a newcomer who is more financially well-off, and his artistic and suspected sexual/relationship interests, are additional themes of the film, which play out so well in a beautiful, interesting and captivating way, often evoking strong emotions, and at times offering an inspiring catharsis (and perhaps a few tears, in reaction to some sadness, and much beauty.)

    And there are many other highlights of the film beyond all that, including the amazingly beautiful setting, in a rural, seaside Peruvian village, the cinematography, musical score, performances, plot twists and turns, the mix of fantasy and reality (and moments where it's unclear to what extent fantasy exists as an aspect of the story's reality.) This is a truly unique and creative film, and one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at a feature film in a long time.
    helpful•61
    10
    • russellld
    • Jun 23, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 16, 2010 (Colombia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Peru
      • Colombia
      • France
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Watch on Fearless
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Nguoc Dòng
    • Filming locations
      • Cabo Blanco, Peru
    • Production companies
      • Elcalvo Films
      • Dynamo
      • La Cinéfacture
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $108,620
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,749
      • Sep 19, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $602,059
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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