Jomy Marull, just like Gustavo, has the same spark, the young man who sells everything in Calendario

We had already enjoyed his acting in recent dramatizations on Cuban television. However, his character in season two of the television series Calendario, has left a mark in Jomy Marull, among viewers. Since he walked into the doors where CubaSí building is located, everyone asked him the same question: what do you have to sell?

Best of all, he answered everyone as if he were Gustavo and not Jomy, with that grace that turns a popular artist into a near and dear artist.

How did you get into Calendario?

I knew Magda. I had worked for her in a short film entitled Para toda la Vida, where I shared acting with Paula Massola. I played the role of a young father who had to deal with parenthood at so young age and Magda directed such short film. That's where I meet her and when I am finished shooting this TV movie, she tells me that she was preparing a series for teenagers. She made me the proposal and I remember she scolded me because I didn't react the way I had to.

When the casting process kicks off, she calls me. But Magda is a director who is governed a lot by what the text says. That is, she is very loyal to that care of respecting what is written. I, as a young man, who is aware of how people talk on the street, always try to adapt myself based on a certain comfort, logically without the intention of changing where the scene goes, and they didn't accept me. I didn't get the job in that first casting and when they called me for the first season, I said: there will be no flaws this time. And that is how I am playing Gustavo in Calendario.

Was it easy for you to merge yourself into the group of the TV series, the classroom...?

"I knew most of the actors, some are part of my theater company, El Público. I taught others when I was an acting assistant professor, in the second year of the ENA, thanks to the invitation of Corina Mestre together with Jorgito Caballero. And I have coincided with the rest in other projects. But it was very gratifying to have shared with such a talented group of young people and such a familiar and united team."

How did it go with the public?

"It is not that usual to maintain a popular TV series in Cuba. For example, Mucho Ruido TV series, a teen drama having a huge impact. Since I got familiar with Calendario, I said to myself, this classroom needs a funny boy. We had the character of Javier, who was played by Víctor Cruz, but I was going more for the idea of the annoying person in the classroom, the boy making the stale jokes. So I, as a spectator, had such a healthy envy. I thought I could have been there, but hey, I am a faithful believer that everything happens for a reason and then I got Gustavo.

"Having a role within such a great TV series and the public likes so much, people enjoy so much, is a tremendous challenge. It is a challenge to share stage with so many talented actors. But I wanted to do it. I devoted to the character of Gustavo, with whom I have several traits in common.

Is there a connection between Jomy and Gustavo?

"I live in Cerro, a very picturesque neighborhood, I know a lot of Gustavos, but there are also many points of contact between Jomy, the actor, and Gustavo, the character. Today it would be very difficult for me to differentiate one another as I am real, genuine. I am very happy with Gustavo, as this character has nurtured me in so many ways.

Tell us about your experience with the public in the streets? Did they greet you or ask you if you have something to sell?

All the time. That is the greatest joke of Gustavo. What are you selling? What do you have? They ask. There was a very funny scene where a group of young ladies asked him  about what he had in store were seamless underpants, and silicon bra. I think that is the true gift for artists, the impact and repercussion of your work. I had never experienced such a wave of approval in any of my characters. And I am feeling it in Calendario.

What can you tell us about what is going to happen with Gustavo?

Gustavo, in season two, has actually no conflicts. In my opinion, he is a rather antagonistic character, who comes to generate conflicts for others. I don't think he is a bad boy, but he is a result of a poor education, his own environment and upbringing. I can anticipate that there is a kind of relationship that does not exist...

In season three, are you in?

"Yes, we are already filming season three. There Gustavo sells things that cannot be sold. We are already entering a swampier terrain."

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff