Pablo Castelblanco delivers an ingratiating performance as Kyle, a gay teen in the provocative queer thriller, “Ganymede,” now available on demand. The film depicts the intertwined issues of at-risk queer teens, the horrors of conversion therapy, and the God vs. gay debate as the closeted Lee Fletcher (Jordan Doww) falls for Pablo (Castelblanco) despite his strict religious parents Big Lee (Joe Chrest) and Floy (Robyn Lively), warning him to stay away from “that boy.”
On his parents’ insistence, Lee meets with Pastor Royer (David Koechner), who puts him into conversion therapy to “cure” Lee from the Ganymede, the most handsome of mortals in Greek mythology, possessing him. Lee needs to stop being influenced by “unrepentant homosexuals” and having “reprobate thoughts” about Kyle. In contrast, Kyle is comfortable with himself, chatting about his crush on Lee with his bestie Bree (Marissa Reyes), or even Ms. Kimpton (Anna Schlegel), the school guidance counselor.
“Ganymede,” written by Colby Holt, who co-directed it with his partner Sam Probst, thoughtfully addresses the pressures queer youth face from family and peers, particularly in the American South. As Lee is haunted by a creature (embodied by Lucas Turner) that frightens him whenever he has queer thoughts — or when he kisses Kyle.
The openly gay Castelblanco, whose career is on the rise, chatted with PGN about making “Ganymede.”
Kyle is very much the moral center of the story, and he doesn’t apologize for who he is. How did you approach playing him?
It starts with the text. What Colby wrote asked for someone who was confident and the antithesis of Lee. Once I acknowledged that, I drew from my personal life. I thought, “Who was I drawn to when I was young?” More than someone who was outwardly gay, it was the people who carried themself with confidence. I made Kyle have a quiet and powerful confidence that was rooted in him.
What does Kyle see in Lee? Why does Kyle pursue him? Lee gives off some major red flags!
I think there must be some recognition and kindness. At the beginning, there is some infatuation — he’s attracted physically, and wants to pursue Lee, but it changes for Kyle when Lee defends him [against bullies]. They are connecting in that whole scene and Kyle realizes Lee cares for him. Kyle’s mom [Sofia Yepes] protects him, but he has to protect himself too. Of course there is protection in love, but we also have protection with friends, who respect you and protect you because they see you are a valuable person.
But Lee keeps spending time with Lee despite being told not to. What observations do you have about the teens’ dynamic?
People are telling Lee that Kyle is the Ganymede, and Lee coming back to Kyle is him recognizing that there is something beneath that. The Ganymede is not this boy. For Kyle, it becomes an altruistic thing — he recognizes the hurt in someone else. Kyle is unapologetic. He is a teenage boy, and he will try to help out and be idealistic. He believes in the power of love and friendship and that is earnest. He has the mindset that he can make a difference.
What were you like as a teen?
I grew up in Colombia and went to a Jesuit school. We went to areas of conflict where people are being displaced or have been governed by illegal groups. When I was young, I tried to help out and do what the school was telling me to do to and it felt I was making a change.
Kyle performs music. What are your hobbies/secret talents?
I am an improv comic. That is something no one should be proud of, but I am. I also started reconnecting with my inner child.
Did you have fun filming the big “fight” scene?
For me, my favorite scene was the last confrontation because of how it was written. People thought it was a fight, but in my mind, it was a love scene. This is where Kyle and Lee both have to be vulnerable.
What can you say about the film’s horror themes — not the dangers of conversion therapy, which is plenty scary, but the creature element to the story?
I love that part of the film. This could have just been a drama about going through conversion therapy, but [the creature] brings it to a space that is more interesting in its storytelling. It uses different tools to represent that fear. The creature looks scary and is queer coded — with leather, chains and its face. It’s effective and different.
What observations do you have about making a gay independent film?
Making art is so difficult, and making art that matters is even harder. Sam and Colby and the team behind “Ganymede” put their heart in it. I am really proud of the film. It was a labor of love. Once they cast me, they found a Colombian actress to play my mom. We got to speak in Spanish. That was very important to me. I hope people connect with the kids and this love story.
“Ganymede” is only your second feature film. You have made a few short films, like “Admission,” directed by Juan Pablo Di Pace, and you were a regular on the series, “Alaska Daily,” with Hilary Swank. Can you talk about your career and the projects you are in?
I am excited to be on “Happy’s Place,” Reba McEntire’s new sitcom on NBC. It premieres Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. It’s not a reboot of “Reba,” but has the same creative team. I’m excited to make people laugh. I want it to be a comfort show for people.
