Today we’d like to introduce you to Felipe Jorquera Grumi.
Felipe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a film, theater, and television actor. I was born on November 3, 1992, in Santiago, Chile. I was diagnosed with “Spastic Paraparesis,” a condition that prevented me from walking since I was 2 years old. However, this didn’t stop me from pursuing my passion for acting.
My journey in the entertainment industry began at an early age, with appearances in commercials and television programs. Later, I enrolled in the Matus Actores acting school, where I honed my talent and eventually became a professional actor.
My most important film work to date is the short film “Preámbulo,” which I wrote, starred in, and produced myself, with the aim of challenging stereotypes and breaking the mold of disability representation in film. The most difficult thing for me at the time was the surprise of discovering that casting directors only offered me roles related exclusively to disabilities or illnesses. Therefore, I had to show that an actor like me, in a wheelchair, leads a normal life, like a son, like a neighbor, like a brother, like a father, like a normal human being… Like anyone walking down the street, breathing and flowing with their thoughts and feelings, and in the same way I can act in film, theater, and the various formats in which I have worked.
Actors and actresses we are professionals trained and skilled to transform beyond the visible and delve into stories and characters that may or may not be familiar to us. The short film “Preámbulo” was part of the competition at the Panamanian International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, in 2024, a film festival organized by Carlos Carrasco “Popeye,” of the famous film “Blood in, Blood out.” or “Sangre Por Sangre.” Another of my most treasured projects is the short film “Sobremesa,” which I wrote, directed, and produced myself, along with filmmaker Arlen Pérez, under the name of our own production company, “Torke Audiovisual.” The short film “Sobremesa” is very special to me and has a beautiful story. The short film “Sobremesa” is the end result of a film acting workshop I taught the first time I taught acting classes. That project officially made me an acting teacher, director, and screenwriter. The beautiful thing is that it happened unexpectedly. I decided to join forces with filmmaker Arlen Pérez, and together we taught eight intensive on-camera acting classes for a group of people who, at the time, dreamed of being actors. Thus, “Sobremesa” was born. Currently, the short film has been selected for more than five international film festivals (in Italy and Argentina, among others) and also premiered at the World Film Festival of India and the Bangalore Film Festival in India in 2022.
I have also had the opportunity to work on Rob Diamond’s “Power Rangers Origins” and “Shadow of Vengeance” (available on Prime Video), as well as several other film, theater, and television projects in Chile and the United States. I have also been invited to audition for Kevin Costner productions on several occasions, which was a privilege for me. I sincerely hope to inspire others with my story and show that anything is possible with perseverance and determination.
One of my many goals as a public figure is to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, as all my achievements have been achieved by facing severe discrimination and overcoming inhumane treatment from some.
You can watch the short films “Preámbulo” and “Sobremesa” on the Chilean streaming platform “OndaMedia” and also on YouTube, available to the public in any country around the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been an easy path. As I mentioned in the previous question, I’ve had to face discrimination and inhumane treatment from some people.
When I began my acting career, I was often told that it was impossible to even study acting because I was in a wheelchair. This doesn’t just happen in the arts, but also in my daily life. I always have to explain or demonstrate what I know or don’t know, what I can or can’t do.
Honestly, I don’t care about this because I’ve been able to achieve my goals anyway. The sad thing about it all is having to fight against all odds to achieve it. Society and authorities always claim to want a better world, but they offer the least support to people who want to succeed. In short, human beings fight against human beings to fulfill their dreams or to live fully. That’s the craziest thing possible. If human beings supported each other, we would truly be an admirable and invincible species.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Acting is a beautiful profession that has allowed me to discover infinite worlds, respectful people, different cultures, and it has also helped me understand myself. All acting disciplines are beautiful; they all have something important to teach and demonstrate. Today, by chance, I’m more focused on film, but I’m not closed to working in other disciplines. I love acting and working in all formats. I feel very happy and proud to be recognized as a professional actor, but I feel even happier when I’m recognized for being different, for having managed to overcome barriers and limits that seem impossible to many.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The most important thing for me in this life is that my son and wife are well. I’m grateful to be able to breathe every second. That’s the most important thing… I believe that. if you’re happy and grateful for the opportunity you have to live, everything else follows: work, health, money, and everything you want.
It’s important to be aware that effort sooner or later bears fruit. We all have a flame burning inside, a passion that keeps us awake at night, a goal that makes us feel happy. Follow that flame, follow that instinct, and never lose it. That’s where your success lies. Don’t be afraid, believe in yourself, and you will achieve anything.
Everything is possible if you set your mind to it, even if you’re starting from scratch right now.
For my part, I hope to continue working in acting and learn more every day from each experience.
I will also soon be teaching new acting workshops. I’m very interested in continuing to teach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felipejorquera.actor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FelipeJorqueraActor
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/felipejorqueraactor
- Other: https://youtu.be/6n1smw-SRjI
