User Reviews

Saw this a the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

"Against the Tide" is a documentary about two friends, both Indigenous fishermen, are driven to desperation by a dying sea. Their friendship begins to fracture as they take very different paths to provide for their struggling families. India culture is pretty interesting to observe and while the film offers some interesting insight in the economy system and fishing lifestyle, the film does struggle a little with some poor pacing.

The camerawork, sound designs and production is pretty good. The main two leads who are focused throughout are pretty interesting as you watch their dynamics play out and how they interact with one another. Times where you see them showing genuine emotions felt nature. Unfortunately, the direction seems to kind of go all over the place halfway and certain moments felt like filler. As if the filmmaker wasn't sure how to continue certain scenes and added moments that could have been removed.

Many times the film reminded me All That Breathes which was also an India documentary. But the overall film was interesting.

Rating: B-

The technical aspects of the film are commendable. The camerawork, sound design, and production quality contribute to an immersive viewing experience. The two central characters offer engaging performances, and their authentic emotions are a highlight. However, "Against the Tide" stumbles in terms of pacing. The middle section of the film feels disjointed and occasionally directionless, with moments that could have been trimmed to maintain focus. Despite these pacing issues, the documentary remains a unique and engaging exploration of the challenges faced by marginalized fishing communities and the toll of environmental degradation. It provides valuable insights into a pressing issue and the human dynamics within it, making it a worthy watch for those interested in both.