TICKETS $15

Doors 6:30 p.m.; Event 7 p.m.
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THE EXPERIENCE

Experience an unforgettable night of film, music, and conversation as we celebrate the queer classic and Sundance winning film, Undertow (Contracorriente). Join us as we welcome writer and director Javier Fuentes-León who will be in conversation with local composer Eric Nordin to share an inside look at their bold new musical adaptation of the film, currently in development for an August public workshop. In addition, prior to the film, there will be exclusive live performance of a song from the upcoming musical, sung by actor Cassandra Pangelinan. Presented in partnership with Many Hats Collaboration, this one-night-only event brings together cinema, music, and queer storytelling in celebration of independent artists.

ON SCREEN: Undertow (Contracorriente)

2009. Directed by Javier Fuentes-León. Runtime: 100 minutes. 

In this unique magical realism ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside, a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town’s rigid traditions. Miguel (Cristian Mercado), a handsome young fisherman, and his beautiful bride, Mariela (Tatiana Astengo), are about to welcome their first child. But Miguel harbors a scandalous secret. He’s in love with Santiago (Manolo Cardona), a painter, who is ostracized by the town because he’s gay. After a tragic accident occurs, Miguel must choose between sentencing Santiago to eternal torment or doing right by him and, in turn, revealing their relationship to Mariela—and the entire village.

ON STAGE: Javier Fuentes-León, Eric Nordin, Cassandra Pangelinan, and Jessica Wallenfels

Javier Fuentes-León – Writer/Director – After becoming a medical doctor in Peru, Javier Fuentes-León studied film at CalArts in Los Angeles. His first feature, CONTRACORRIENTE (UNDERTOW) won over 50 international awards, including the Audience Award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. It was Peru’s submission to the 2011 Academy Awards and was nominated for a Goya Award (Spain’s Oscars). Fuentes-León’s second feature, the psychological noir thriller THE VANISHED ELEPHANT, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2014 and traveled to prestigious international festivals, including LA Film Festival and Cartagena. His latest feature, the upstairs/downstairs satire THE BEST FAMILIES, had a double world premiere at the 2020 Rome and Busan Film Festivals, and was part of the official competition of many international festivals, including Malaga, Miami, Lima, Outfest, etc. Fuentes-León is a co-writer and the lead director of the first season of Netflix’s first Colombian original series DISTRITO SALVAJE (WILD DISTRICT), released in 2018. He is also the head writer and co-director of Netflix’s first Peruvian original series CONTIGO CAPITÁN, which premiered in late 2022. His indie rock band LEFT AVENUE JOINERS (aka L.A. JOI), for which Fuentes-León sings, plays the acoustic guitar and writes the songs & lyrics, released their debut album ALTIVO WAY in January 2023, accompanied by seven music videos he directed, co-directed and/or edited. The band’s new album SHINE OR RAIN will be released in early summer 2026. Fuentes-León is currently developing the TV series PROPHET, the dystopian drama FEAR THE SUN and two film projects that blend his passion for film and music: the rock musical SINISTER and the road movie ROAD TRIP. He’s been a member of the Board of Directors of Film Independent since 2012.

Eric Nordin – Composer – Eric Nordin is a composer, music director, pianist and educator. His most recent original piece for the theater is “The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors” (2019), which has been performed at Oregon Children’s Theater, FirstStage and Eau Claire Children’s Theater. He works frequently as a music director for Portland Playhouse (Matilda, Bella, Scarlet, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, A Light in the Piazza) and Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Into the Woods, Once, Ordinary Days, Trails). He has also co-composed John Hughes High: The 1980’s Teen Musical. Works with Many Hats Collaboration include Find Me Beside You (arranger, music director), The Snowstorm (writer, arranger, musician), and Great Wide Open (co-composer, musician). Other original works include the original score of Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s The Wizard of Pantoland as well as two short musical works for 4×4=Musicals. For ten years, he was Director of Forte Music School in Beaverton, Oregon, providing private music lessons to kids and adults in piano and voice. He is the winner of three Drammy Awards and a PAMTA for his work as music director. Eric holds a Masters Degree in Conducting and Composition from Chico State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and Education from Southern Oregon University.

Cassandra Pangelinan – Singer – Cassandra Pangelinan (she/hers) is extremely excited to present this new work from Many Hats Collaboration. One of Cassandra’s favorite ways to make art is in the creation of original works. You may have seen Cassandra in FUSE Theatre Ensemble’s production of “Assassins.” She has also worked with the Chapel Theater as Professor Hidgens in “The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals,” and in The Broken Planetarium’s original show “The Greenbrier Ghost” as the titular character.  You may also remember Cassandra as The Princess in “Twisted” or as Sharon in “Grease 2” at the Funhouse. Other previous roles include: Sara with Triangle Productions in their original show, “Sex on the River,” Columbia in Enlightened Theatrics’ production of “Rocky Horror” and as Urleen in “Footloose” at Broadway Rose. Off stage, you can see Cassandra teaching at Wild Lilac CDC or representing on behalf of her Union! Shout out to ILWU – Local 5! Many thanks to her fiancé Rhansen for his endless support. Instagram: @cassandrapangie

Jessica Wallenfels – Artistic Director for Many Hats Collaboration – Jessica Wallenfels (she/her) creates new work that is music and movement-driven with her company, Many Hats Collaboration. Recent works include writing and co-directing Great Wide Open, a co-production with Portland Playhouse, as well as The November Project, Matter, and The Undertaking. In 2024, the company started The Hatchery, a new works development process and festival centering music and movement. In two years the Hatchery has workshopped four new works including a show created and performed in American Sign Language. As a freelance director/choreographer, Wallenfels has directed Into the Woods (Broadway Rose), Everybody (Artists Repertory Theatre), The Wolves and Scarlet (Portland Playhouse). Her work has been seen at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Oregon Children’s Theater and other PNW venues. In New York, she collaborated with The Civilians and showed work at La Ma Ma e.t.c., HERE Arts Center, ps 122, WAX, University Settlement, and Culture Project. Los Angeles credits include the Old Globe Theater, The Mark Taper Forum and Cornerstone Theatre Company. Wallenfels has taught at Portland State University, Western Oregon University, University of Portland, Mt. Hood Community College, Clackamas Community College and Portland Community College. She holds a BFA from California Institute of the Arts and an MFA in directing from the University of Portland. More info at www.manyhatscollaboration.org and @jessica_of_many_hats.

Note: We do not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, and films exhibited don’t necessarily reflect the views of PAM CUT, the Tomorrow Theater, or the Portland Art Museum. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on sites like Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com.