You are here:

Contra la Corriente

Name: Contra la Corriente
Director: Ramon Novarro
Released: 1936
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

1936

Approved

Director

Ramon Novarro

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Contra la Corriente stands as a significant act of creative reclamation. By shifting from a studio performer to an independent producer, Ramón Novarro bypassed traditional gatekeepers to center Latin American identity through his own production company. The film's strength lies in its ethnic ability to act, using a Spanish-speaking crew and cast to challenge the Anglo-centric Hollywood model of 1936. The inclusion of real-life Olympic athlete José A. Caraballo adds a layer of authentic athletic merit to the narrative. However, the film remains bound by the era's standard romantic archetypes. The narrative focuses on conventional courtship and class dynamics, offering little evidence of challenging gender roles or exploring non-straight-centered identities.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Contra la Corriente have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or stories that challenge the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. The plot revolves around a traditional romantic relationship based on class differences.

How does Contra la Corriente portray gender?

Fair

The story uses traditional romantic clichés involving a wealthy woman and a working-class man. It is unclear whether the female lead challenges the gender hierarchies of the 1930s.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Contra la Corriente?

Excellent

This production breaks Hollywood norms by focusing on Mexican and Argentinian talent. Using a Spanish-speaking crew enhances the authenticity of ethnic identity.

How does Contra la Corriente represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores class tensions between wealth and labor. Creating an independent Spanish-language film in Los Angeles challenges the era's English-language cultural dominance.

Does Contra la Corriente include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities depicted in the main characters.

Present on Screen

High degree of ethnic ability to act through a Mexican-led creative team.
Subversion of mainstream Hollywood casting and production norms.
Authentic representation of Latin American identity and athletic merit.

Limited or Absent

Reliance on traditional, conventional romantic clichés.
Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
Limited evidence of subverting standard 1930s gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

In 1935, former Hollywood silent film star Ramón Novarro (of Durango, Mexico) joined the ranks of adventurous Spanish-speaking, risk-taking producers by writing, directing and producing through his R.N.S. Productions this romantic comedy set in Los Angeles. The film, shot in collaboration with members of his extensive family—brothers Antonio (assistant director) and Eduardo Samaniego (art director), sister Carmen Samaniego (actress), and uncle Ramón Guerrero (actor)—centers on the romance of the rich Rosalía (Luana Alcañiz) and the poor Alberto, a swimmer played by real life Argentinian swimmer José A. Caraballo, who, like the character in the film, had competed in the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

How are these scores produced? →