Contracorriente 2009

New York Times: Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: Reminiscent of such heavenly Hollywood fantasies as "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," Peru's "Undertow" suggests a more passionate, lyrical tale of a soul in search of a body. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: This drama is a first feature by Javier Fuentes-Leon that manages to outgrow the limits of its story. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Right from the start of Undertow, writer-director Javier Fuentes-Leon refuses to reduce any of his characters to cliches, which gives the film its fresh, captivating power. Read more

Bob Mondello, NPR: Undertow, for all its narrative tricks, has been given the rhythm and texture of real life, as well as emotional undercurrents that are haunting. Read more

David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle: This small film's accomplishments are many, but not the least is its ability to take a human story and frame it as a parable, without losing a bit of credibility or irresistible heart. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Meh. Read more

Paul Burston, Time Out: Undertow achieves a kind of lyricism rarely seen in contemporary gay filmmaking. Read more

Ernest Hardy, Village Voice: Set in a small, picturesque Peruvian fishing village, it's less a coming-out tale than a magic realism-infused coming-of-consciousness love story. Read more