The Actors

Guatemalans Brandon López (Juan) and Karen Martínez (Sara), 16 years old, were chosen for the lead roles for La Jaula de Oro out of a group of 3,000 young people who auditioned in a casting that took place in some of the poorest and most dangerous areas of Guatemala’s capital. 

During his audition, Brandon’s ability to improvise, his potent gaze and talent for both verbal and non-verbal communication made him the protagonist. Besides acting in the film, Brandon is an up-and-coming figure on the Guatemalan hip-hop scene as an MC-DJ and breakdancer.

Karen has participated in street theater and performance art productions that focus on social issues in Guatemala, as well as acting in bit parts for staged plays. She is interested in developing her career as a professional actor.

We chose Rodolfo Domínguez, a 16-year-old young man of Tzotzil origin, to play the role of Chauk, building on his deep spiritual connection to earth, his indigenous culture, his charisma and his profound humanity. Rodolfo was discovered during castings held in a variety of remote villages scattered throughout the mountains of Chiapas. Rodolfo possesses a deep, artistic sensibility evoked through playing the harp and jarana guitar, as well as in the traditional dances and rituals of the Tzotzil people.