Once Upon a Time in Panama
| Once Upon a Time in Panama | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Elmis Castillo |
| Written by | Elmis Castillo |
| Produced by | Elmis Castillo Noa Levana |
| Starring | Elmis Castillo |
| Cinematography | Aaron Bromley |
| Edited by | Juan Zelaya |
| Music by | Eduardo Charry Rodrigo Denis |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | Panama |
| Language | Spanish |
Once Upon a Time in Panama (Spanish: Érase una vez en Panamá) is a 2024 Panamanian comedy film written, co-produced, starred and directed by Elmis Castillo.[1] It premiered on March 21, 2024, in Panamanian theaters.[2]
Synopsis
[edit]Ermisendo, a janitor, opens the door to his boss Domingo and is unjustly accused of the largest fentanyl theft in Panamanian history. This sends Ermisendo on the run until he meets Tito, a former bushrangers, who tells him his life story about how he managed to dismantle a child trafficking ring by doing the right thing. This inspires Ermisendo to confront those who framed him... but at what cost?[3]
Cast
[edit]- Elmis Castillo as Ermisendo / Tito
- Luis Gotti as Don Tito
- Hermes Mendoza as Adonis / Ome
- Marcell Chávez as Machomonte
- Robert De Luca as Lombana Indigenous
- Diego De Obaldía as Doctor of Obaldía
- Mariano Abdel Gonzalez as Doctor Gonzalez
- Marelissa Him as Verónica
- Edward José as Policeman
- Domil Leira as Vernon
- Alex Mariscal as Domingo
- Gabriel Pérez Matteo as Nito
- Ivan Peña as Roux Indigenous
- RoChia as Don Mario
- Diego Ruzzarin as Doctor Ruzzarin
- Abdiel Tapia as Juan / Elephant Man
- Carlos Tibbet as Martin Indigenous
- Marcelo Villareal as Celador / Cholo
- Aaron Zebede as Doctor Gallego
Production
[edit]Principal photography wrapped on January 9, 2024,[4] lasting 18 days in Volcán Barú, Chorcha, and Bayano Caves.[5][6]
Reception
[edit]In its second week in theaters, the film sold 30,000 tickets.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Elmis Castillo lanzó el tráiler de 'Érase una vez en Panamá'". Panamá América (in Spanish). 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Elmis Castillo estrenará la película "Érase una vez en Panamá" en marzo". Telemetro (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Érase una vez | Cinépolis ENTRA". Cinepolis (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "Elmis Castillo teme decepcionar, quiere que la gente primero vea la película". Día a Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "'Érase una vez en Panamá' llega hoy a las salas de cine y Elmis no le tiene miedo ni a King Kong ni a Godzilla". Día a Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "'Érase una vez en Panamá, una película 'ambiciosa'". Critica (in Spanish). 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
- ^ "¡Éxito de taquilla y solidaridad: 'Érase una vez en Panamá' sigue impactando!". Mi Diario (in Spanish). 2024-04-07. Retrieved 2025-04-24.