Das Geheimnis des Flusses

El Secreto del Rio/The Secret of the River is best summed up in the following quote, "Un gran amigo vale más que mil amore." or "A great friend is worth more than a thousand loves."

This is the story of two children brought together by circumstance. They become friends first reluctantly, and then in earnest; bound together by a secret that they feel they must keep, the secret of the river.

It is a story of struggle against society, family, friends and self and ultimately finding love and acceptance in community and demonstrating the power of pure friendship. As children, the friendship of Manuel, Erik and Paulina is pure and protective. All three are figuring out the world in which they live where the adults are also proving that they're figuring it out too trying to balance tradition with a world that is moving quickly and yet at the speed of the Isthmus.

The director uses flashbacks in touching and illustrative ways without giving in to being maudlin or treacly to emphasize the innocence of their friendships.

Additionally, this series of eight episodes wraps up the story lines well while leaving open the possibility of other explorations of the relationships this show establishes.