The peruvian Film Undertow (Contracorriestes) to open Vancouver Queer Film Festival

Undertow‘s breathtaking Peruvian seaside setting will effortlessly captivate you. It will just as easily sweep you away with the story of Miguel and Santiago-a pair of passionate and handsome men having an affair. But this debut feature by director Javier Fuentes-León delves far deeper than forbidden love on moonlit beaches.

Undertow is a film about the delicate process of making peace between seemingly unreconcilable extremes. Fisherman and father-to-be Miguel walks a fine line. His steadfast commitments to his Catholic faith, local village traditions and machismo culture are at odds with his unshakable feelings for his artsy, free-spirited gay lover. When Santiago dies in a boating accident, it looks as though Miguel’s inner conflict may be over. Instead, the return of Santiago’s ghost forces Miguel’s two worlds more closely-and uncomfortably-together. Bravely, yet haphazardly, he scrambles to appease the external expectations of family and village life and also honour his own inner truths. In this film of keen juxtapositions, losses are authentically grieved and triumphs are quietly celebrated, all before the riveting and bittersweet final scene.

WINNER
World Cinema Audience Award, 2010 Sundance Film Festival
Audience Award, 2010 Miami International Film Festival

THU | AUG 12 | 7:00 PM
THU | AUG 19 | 9:30 PM

Opening Gala Party
Thu | Aug 12 | 9:00
Celebrities Nightclub – 1022 Davie Street
DJ Landon James (Rapture) and DJ T.
Performances by Empress Raye Sunshine.

For tickets click here