‘America’ Star Luca Castellani Reflects on U.S. Citizenship, Transformation After Aly Muritiba’s Film

Following the completion of the short film “America,” Luca Castellani, originally from Brazil, officially became a U.S. citizen. Castellani described this milestone as “bittersweet.” “Gaining citizenship is bittersweet, as I now find myself estranged from the vision of America that I once aspired to be part of,” he explained during a discussion after a screening of the film, where he was joined by the film’s director, Aly Muritiba.

This conversation took place on October 24th during the The Bangin Beats Screening Series 2025, moderated by The Bangin Beats‘s Jazz Tangcay. They delved into their recent film project that portrays a Brazilian immigrant (played by Castellani) whose romantic life with an aspiring writer (played by Cheyenne Jackson) is interrupted by an encounter with an ICE officer. The film arrives at a poignant time, aligning with Castellani’s decade-long journey to U.S. citizenship.

“It’s an honor to share a story that resonates with many and offers a form of protection to my community,” Castellani remarked. Although the film was shot in just four days, one of which involved a guerrilla-style scene at a real No Kings protest, Castellani feels the project was ten years in the making, mirroring his own immigration journey from Brazil at 17 to becoming the lead in an award-nominated short film by Muritiba.

Muritiba, a celebrated Brazilian director known for his work on the HBO series “City of God: The Fight Rages On” and various feature films, embraced “America” as his first English-language project. He viewed creating this film as a critical social commentary. “My career has always centered around societal themes,” Muritiba stated, “I see myself as a fighter using my abilities and voice to address crucial issues like immigration.”

The filmmakers also discussed the potential lessons the United States could learn from Brazil’s recent history with fascism. “Brazil recently overcame a fascist regime, avoiding a coup d’état, and we are now witnessing those responsible being held accountable by our judicial system,” Muritiba explained, expressing pride in Brazil’s standing as a major democracy in the Americas. He believes these experiences could offer valuable insights to other nations.

“Now that I am a citizen, I feel safer and proud to be part of America, actively contributing like everyone else,” Castellani added, reflecting on his newly acquired citizenship amidst his mixed feelings towards the evolving American dream, which for many immigrants turns into a nightmare.

Castellani stressed the importance of unity and protection among people, which is a central theme of “America.” “The film aims to show the necessity of solidarity and setting aside our differences. We’re all essentially striving to love and support one another, and yet, it feels like societal systems and politics often hinder these simple human desires,” he observed.

Muritiba concluded, “This movie is about empathy, and it tells a love story during challenging times.” Despite the often grim portrayal of political and immigration issues, “America” seeks to explore these themes through a more personal and empathetic lens.