We are not the same

A gay teenager wants to audition for the role of a transvestite character in a play, but he fears that an uninformed society might assume he is like the character or that he desires to be a woman.

Jesús Javier Castillo is an emerging Panamanian film director with a passion for musicals and drama, aiming to tell emotional stories that critique Panamanian society. By incorporating double standards in his characters and occasionally using evocative music, Jesús delves into profound and resonant themes from his surroundings. His debut feature, "We are not the same," is a deeply personal project that reflects his perspective on the Panamanian LGBTQI+ community, to which he belongs.

After graduating in 2019 as an Audiovisual Producer from the University of Panama, Jesús spent the subsequent years working on his first feature film. He enhanced his education with diplomas from the Escuela Nacional de Cine de Colombia and Casa Comal in Guatemala, which facilitated the development of his project.

Though a first-time director, Jesús is meticulous in crafting emotional and immersive atmospheres, prompting the viewer to either empathize with or reject his characters. He prefers fixed shots, focusing entirely on the characters, allowing them, within their environments, to persuade the viewer of their philosophies. When he employs moving shots, he typically pairs them with music, creating choreographies inspired by Damien Chazelle.

It can be said that Jesús Javier Castillo aims not only to entertain but also to inspire and provoke reflection in his audience. He is committed to using cinema as a tool for social change and hopes his work continues to foster important dialogues about identity and acceptance.