Swimming Upstream is the heart-wrenching story of a 17-year-old boy who is stricken with terminal leukemia and how he deals with this tragedy. Written and directed by Robert J. Emery, the film is set in Bristol, Rhode Island, where it was also filmed. Emery keeps the film ever poignant, without letting it become maudlin. The cast is headed by newcomer Matt Czuchry, who delivers a touching performance as the teenager with leukemia. The fine supporting cast is headed by Michael Moriarty (Law & Order) and Kelly Rutherford, as the young man's father and sister.

       Swimming Upstream debuted at Digidance in January, 2001 and was the winner of the Best Dramatic Film Award from the AngelCiti Film Festival/Los Angeles, in 2001. At the time, it was only the second feature film ever shot entirely with SONY's new High Definition 24P Digital System.


"Swimming Upstream is a beautiful film. Truly beautiful. Don't miss this one."
-Tom McDonough
 The Internet Movie Database - IMDB.com


"Director Robert Emery offers a study of the family that has the look of an all-American Norman Rockwell painting and the soul of Robert Frost."
-Patricia Lacouture
 Newport This Week.