Contracorriente

This week's film was Contracorriente, a Peruvian/Spanish film which won the Audience Award for Best World Dramatic Feature at Sundance 2010. If you didn't see it you missed a cracker. A love story with a twist between Miguel, the fisherman and Santiago, the artist, which one reviewer described as a cross between “Ghost” and “Brokeback Mountain”.

This film received very high ratings from those of you who filled in the feedback forms. The most frequent rating was A- excellent (17 out of 36 forms returned!) The lowest rating was C – good. Average rating worked out at 87%.

My favourite shot was in the opening sequence showing the funeral of the cousin which was filmed from underwater. As the body silently drifted into the depths it seemed to emphasise the finality of death. Wonderful moment, I thought.

I also liked the bit near the end when the young girl who had revealed Miguel's secret was the first one one to join the funeral procession. I suppose she was a stranger in the village and also a younger person who might be more ready to accept a homosexual affair. On the other hand, maybe she was trying to assuage her guilty conscience.

I haven't anything to add to your own reviews which are appended below.

B	Unusual. Not to my taste but enjoyable.
B
A	Very good
A	Very enjoyable.
A
A	Lovely scenery. Very windy. A very thought-provoking story.
A	Beautiful
A	Excellent film. You can't choose who you love.
A/B
A	Food for thought
A
A
A	A very unusual and imaginative storyline.
A	Beautiful and understated bravery as Latin American film with homosexual themes
A	A very moving film of love. Also a brave film to be made in such a religious Roman Catholic country.
A	Excellent film, very brave and moving. Very poignant & convincing.
A	Stunning scenery. Intriguing and compelling storyline with its subtle religious undertones. Photographic techniques great!
A	Great title. To thine own self be true!
A	Stunning photography. A very sympathetic view of a very difficult human dilemma.
A	Beautifully filmed exploration of … (ink ran out)
B	Food for thought
B	GOOD STORY – WELL TOLD. REALLY GOOD
B
B	Endearing tale of romance in a remote community – some interesting twists and turns.
B	Thought provoking. Some scenes too short to allow for continuous understanding.
B	Very sensitive study of homosexuality in a macho culture. Ultimate bravery of main character admitting his sexuality before the whole village. Lovely film.
B
B	Dealt with a difficult subject.
B	Enthralling and affecting.
B
B	GENTLE, WELL FILMED AND SUBJECT SENSITIVE. FAR BETTER THAN BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN OR SIMILAR.
C	Too idealised. Actors too beautiful!
C
C
C	Poignant
C

Links to on-line reviews:

Philip French in the Observer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/08/undertow-film-review
Steve Rose in the Guardian (3 stars): http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/05/undertow-review
David Parkinson in the Radio Times (3 stars): http://www.radiotimes.com/film/ctd4d/undertow-(2009)
Tim Robey in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/7928671/Undertow-review.html
IMDB users gave it 7.5 out of 10: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1368491/
And UK audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes 89% - remarkably similar to your own score – for the second time in succession!!: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/undertow_2009/