By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In a recent conversation hosted by AMFM’s Paul Salfen, director Pol Kurucz and star Brooks Ginnan opened up about their groundbreaking short film Charlie Is Not a Boy, a visually stunning and emotionally resonant work that made its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles on February 22, 2026. Shot on 16mm analog film, the 13-minute piece blends retro-surreal aesthetics with poignant themes of identity, family trauma, and self-discovery in an allegorical America.
The film follows Charlie, a hushed soul trapped in a crumbling household dominated by a perverted butcher father and a mother locked in catatonic silence. Charlie finds fleeting refuge in the whimsical world of his eccentric grandmother, but as that sanctuary crumbles, he must navigate hostile environments—including the military—while grappling with the masks he wears to survive. The story is a haunting fairytale that challenges norms around gender, authenticity, and belonging.
Pol Kurucz, the LA-based French visual artist making his live-action directorial debut, wrote, directed, designed, and narrated the project. Transitioning from a celebrated career in photography—featured in outlets like Vogue, ELLE, Rolling Stone, and Dazed—and earlier work in theater direction and production design across France, Hungary, and Brazil, Pol brought his signature stylized vision to cinema. His photographs and fine-art pieces have graced major venues like Art Basel Miami and Somerset House London, and he’s collaborated with artists including Janelle Monáe, Paris Hilton, and Gottmik.
In the interview, Pol shared how the character of Charlie first emerged nine years ago in Rio de Janeiro, inspired by a young albino banker channeling his late grandmother’s essence—dressing like her, smoking multiple cigarettes, embodying her spirit. The spark for the film reignited when Brooks arrived at Pol’s apartment in an outfit evoking a “stylish, mourning grandmother,” coinciding with the 2024 elections. “Charlie whispered an enduring tale into my ear right away,” Pol recalled, drawing from French fantastical realists like Marcel Aymé, queer comic books, and dark whimsical American stories.
Brooks Ginnan, who delivers a captivating lead performance as Charlie, reflected on their own journey. Born with dermal dysplasia, Brooks initially doubted a path in front of the camera due to appearance. But self-portraits and modeling in Los Angeles shifted everything around 2017, leading to a love for inhabiting characters in film and acting. “It really feels like one unpredictable, happy accident that just keeps going,” Brooks said, expressing immense gratitude.
The production was a joy despite the challenges of a debut narrative film. Pol emphasized meticulous preparation: an animatic for every shot, a month of pre-production with much of the team, and only a minor three-minute camera glitch over six days. “It was pure joy,” Pol noted, crediting the smooth process to thorough planning amid limited time and budget. Brooks echoed the magic of the sets: “Every day… it was a dream come true. Stepping onto those sets, it was just completely magic.”
Both creators offered thoughtful advice for aspiring filmmakers. Brooks stressed perseverance and passion: “If you love it… keep going against all odds.” Pol added that true creatives often feel an undeniable urge—”you don’t have a choice”—and urged those in commercial fields to leap into narrative sooner, noting cinema’s longer cycles compared to photography or fashion.
The film’s every frame feels like a printable portrait, as Paul Salfen observed, praising its artistic depth. With its premiere at Slamdance (and upcoming European screening at Tampere Film Festival), Charlie Is Not a Boy is poised to inspire audiences and spark conversations about visibility and authenticity.
Pol and Brooks’ shared love of cinema shines through, turning personal journeys into a powerful, childlike-wonder-infused tale. AMFM Magazine celebrates this bold debut and looks forward to more from these visionary artists. Keep an eye on Pol Kurucz and Brooks Ginnan—their paths are just beginning to unfold on screen.
