Paul Castelblanco delivers a compelling performance as Kyle, a gay teenager in the provocative queer thriller Ganymede, now available on demand. The film explores the intertwining issues of at-risk queer teens, the horrors of conversion therapy and the God vs. gay debate as closeted Lee Fletcher (Jordan Doww) falls in love with Pablo (Castelblanco) despite his staunchly religious parents Big Lee (Joe Chrest) and Floy (Robyn Lively) warning him to stay away from “that boy.”
At the urging of his parents, Lee meets with Pastor Royer (David Koechner), who subjects him to conversion therapy in order to “cure” Lee of Ganymede, the most beautiful mortal in Greek mythology, who has possessed him. Lee must stop being influenced by “unrepentant homosexuals” and harboring “reprehensible thoughts” about Kyle. Kyle, on the other hand, is comfortable in his own skin and chats about his crush on Lee with his best friend Bree (Marissa Reyes) or even Ms. Kimpton (Anna Schlegel), the school’s guidance counselor.
Written by Colby Holt, who co-directed with his partner Sam Probst, Ganymede sensitively addresses the pressures queer youth face from family and peers, especially in the American South. Lee is haunted by a creature (played by Lucas Turner) that scares him whenever he has queer thoughts — or when he kisses Kyle.
Castelblanco, who is openly gay and whose career is on the rise, chatted with PGN about filming “Ganymede.”
Kyle is the moral center of the story and he makes no apologies for who he is. How did you approach his role?
It starts with the lyrics. Colby’s lyrics were asking for someone confident and the opposite of Lee. When I realized that, I drew from my personal life. I thought, “Who was I attracted to when I was young?” More than someone who was openly gay, it was people who were confident. I gave Kyle a quiet and powerful confidence that was ingrained in him.
What does Kyle see in Lee? Why is Kyle stalking him? Lee is sending out some major warning signs!
I think there has to be a certain amount of recognition and kindness. There’s a certain amount of infatuation in the beginning – he’s physically attracted to Lee and wants to court Lee, but for Kyle that changes when Lee defends him (against bullies). They build a connection throughout that scene and Kyle realizes that Lee cares about him. Kyle’s mother (Sofia Yepes) protects him, but he also has to protect himself. Of course there’s protection in love, but we also have protection in friends who respect and protect you because they see that you’re a valuable person.
But Lee continues to spend time with Lee, despite being forbidden to do so. What observations have you made about the teenage dynamic?
People tell Lee that Kyle is the Ganymede, and Lee’s return to Kyle means he realizes there is something behind it. The Ganymede is not this boy. For Kyle, it becomes an altruistic thing – he sees the pain in someone else. Kyle is uncompromising. He’s a teenager and he’s going to try to help and be idealistic. He believes in the power of love and friendship and he’s serious about that. He thinks he can make a difference.
What were you like as a teenager?
I grew up in Colombia and went to a Jesuit school. We went to conflict areas where people were displaced or controlled by illegal groups. When I was young, I tried to help and do what the school told me to do and I felt like I was making a difference.
Kyle makes music. What are your hobbies/secret talents?
I’m an improvisational comedian. That’s something no one should be proud of, but I am. I’ve also started to reconnect with my inner child.
Did you enjoy filming the big “fight” scene?
My favorite scene for me was the final confrontation because that’s how it was written. People thought it was a fight, but to me it was a love scene. This is where Kyle and Lee both have to be vulnerable.
What can you say about the horror themes of the film – not the dangers of conversion therapy, which are certainly scary, but the monster element of the story?
I love that part of the film. This could have easily been a drama about conversion therapy, but (the creature) takes it into a space in its narrative that is more interesting. It uses different devices to portray that fear. The creature looks terrifying and is queer-coded – with leather, chains and its face. It’s powerful and different.
What observations have you made about making a gay independent film?
Making art is so difficult, and making art that matters is even more difficult. Sam and Colby and the team behind Ganymede put their heart and soul into it. I’m really proud of the film. It was a labor of love. After they cast me, they found a Colombian actress to play my mother. We could speak Spanish. That was really important to me. I hope people can connect with the kids and this love story.
Ganymede is only your second feature film. You have already made a few short films, including Admission, directed by Juan Pablo Di Pace, and you were a series regular on the series Alaska Daily with Hilary Swank. Can you tell us a bit about your career and the projects you are involved in?
I’m excited to be joining Reba McEntire’s new sitcom Happy’s Place on NBC, premiering October 18 at 8 p.m. It’s not a reboot of Reba, but the same creative team is on board. I’m excited to make people laugh. I want it to be a show that brings people comfort.
