El Brujo: Julio Zachrisson
International Title: The Sorcerer: Julio Zachrisson.
Duration: 80 minutes
A film by Trillo Guardia and Tomás Cortés.
Director: Trillo Guardia.
Producer: Tomás Cortés.
Production Company: ANIMAL (Cine Animal, S.A.), in collaboration with Filo Animation Studios.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture of Panama.
Animation Director: Fernando Toussaint
Original Soundtrack: Frédéric Filiatre. Available on vinyl and digital platforms. Distributed by Mirador Records.
Premiere: At the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panamá) in April 2025.
Awards:
Audience Award – Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), April 2025.
Audience Award – Costa Rica International Film Festival (CRFIC), June 2025.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with a painting in his grandmother's living room, a filmmaker sets out on a journey to Madrid in pursuit of the enigmatic Panamanian surrealist, Julio Zachrisson.
A young Panamanian filmmaker travels to Madrid to meet Julio Zachrisson, a legendary Panamanian surrealist whose work left a mark on him since childhood. What begins as a personal quest gradually becomes an intergenerational dialogue between two artists. Filmed over nearly five years — as Zachrisson copes with the loss of his sight during the final chapter of his life — the two forge an unexpected friendship that changes both of their lives. Featuring never-before-seen interviews and archival footage, this documentary explores memory, identity, and the enduring power of art to connect generations.
El Brujo: Julio Zachrisson is an intimate and at times delightfully unorthodox portrait of one of Latin America’s great artistic voices. Far more than a traditional biography, the film explores the life and legacy of Panamanian printmaker Julio Zachrisson through a deeply personal lens — blending rare archival footage, unreleased interviews, and dreamlike animations inspired by his unique visual universe.
Filmed over the course of several years, during which the filmmaker and the artist formed an unexpected bond, the documentary becomes a meditation on memory, time, and the power of art to bridge generations.
The Original Soundtrack
composed by Frédéric Filiatre
ABOUT JULIO ZACHRISSON
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Born in Panama in 1927 and based in Madrid until his passing in 2021, Julio Zachrisson was a master of printmaking and painting who spent much of his life in the Spanish capital. His work gives life to a fantastical world drawn from classical mythologies and Latin American scenes, always infused with his unmistakable Panamanian humor.
Beyond his technical mastery and innovation in printmaking, Zachrisson approached human history and society with a critical eye — embracing the role of the artist as both a witness and a provocateur.
His works are held in the collections of prestigious institutions around the world, including the Museo Reina Sofía (Madrid), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Panama (MAC Panamá), and numerous public and private collections across the Americas and Europe.
With solo and group exhibitions in renowned venues, Zachrisson’s body of work has become a universal reference in the field of printmaking — all while preserving the irony and spirit of his Panamanian roots.
“Art is useless, but it is essential.” — Julio Zachrisson.
