UNDERTOW
aka CONTRACORRIENTE

Year: 2009
UK: Axiom Films
Cast: Manolo Cardona, Cristian Mercado, Tatiana Astengo
Director: Javier Fuentes-Leon
Countries: Peru / Colombia / France / Germany
Language: Spanish (English subtitles)
UK: 101 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and sex
UK Release Date: 6 August 2010 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

Set in a small fishing village on the northern coast of Peru, Miguel (Cristian Mercado, CHE), a well liked fisherman and his beautiful bride, Mariela (Tatiana Astengo), are expecting their first child. But Miguel is secretly in love with a man, Santiago (Manolo Cardona, BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA), a visiting artist.

Santiago’s sexuality opens him up to the scrutiny and dislike of this small but devout community. When he tragically drowns, as he’s caught up in the ocean's strong undertow, his spirit returns but only to Miguel, and is unable to cross peacefully to the other side, until his body is found and buried in accordance with the rituals of the town.

Miguel is now forced to decide whether to expose his relationship with Santiago jeopardising his marriage and life in this tight knit community by setting Santiago’s spirit free or sentence him to eternal torment by refusing to cooperate.

UNDERTOW is the impressive debut feature film of Javier Fuentes-Leon.

Winner - 2010 Sundance World Cinema Audience Award.