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[title]In Papá X Dos, Benjamín Vicuña, Celeste Cid and Lucas Akoskin dive into the emotional entanglements of modern life, where the boundaries of the traditional family blur and love follows no rules. The comedy mixes tenderness, chaos, and plenty of humor, offering a fresh take on new family models: parents, mothers, and exes living together, sharing roles, and learning to laugh at themselves along the way. It premieres on September 18 and will be available in theaters nationwide.
Lucas and Celeste, two of its protagonists, tell us what it was like to embody these characters who navigate between freedom, motherhood, and unexpected fatherhood—without losing either the truth or the humor in each situation. In this conversation, they reveal the challenges, the laughter behind the camera, and how their personal experiences influenced the creation of Pancho and Ana.
What was the most challenging and the most fun part of playing Pancho and Ana in a story that pushes the limits of the traditional family?
Lucas: For me, it was beautiful to be able to move through situations with the impunity, innocence, and disorientation of reality. To step in and out of scenarios that were clearly daring and, to some extent, inappropriate—but with total freedom and without judgment. I mean my own judgment. Pancho plays with limits that weren’t defined or marked. His motivations come from the freedom of being himself, regardless of the consequences.
"Pancho plays with limits that weren’t defined or marked"
Celeste: The large, playful scenes—the barbecues, the laughter, the complicity—especially considering they involved kids, which always brings joy to a shoot. The energy that children bring is incomparable. It’s the perfect setting to stay open to play.
How did you prepare to approach humor in a comedy that also touches on sensitive topics like parenthood and coexistence?
Celeste: I always work with a coach, Guillermo Ghio. With him, I did the initial readings, trying to understand the “behind” of Ana—what she goes through with this motherhood, with this child that isn’t her current partner’s but her ex’s. An artist’s job is, above all, to always understand the reasons behind what their character does, without judging whether it’s right or wrong or if it could have been another way. The script is always a starting point, usually with the rules already very clear. It was beautiful to understand her, to imagine—even if it’s not shown in the film—her inner world, the nights of doubt, insecurity, wondering how she’d tell her partner.
"An artist’s job is, above all, to always understand the reasons behind what their character does"
Lucas: The guideline was not to “try” to be funny. Not to force anything. Acting is partly a game, a playful space where, if everything aligns, you can really enjoy it. Humor was present on set, on and off camera, but the characters had to act from total truth, letting the humor emerge naturally because the situations themselves were sometimes a bit ridiculous or exaggerated. The dynamic and chemistry between the three of us was immediate, and that helps a lot. A film set is already a kind of cohabitation: many hours, many days together. All three of us have children. In my case, my daughter wasn’t in the country, but Celeste and Benjamín’s kids were able to visit the set.
Celeste, as a mother in real life, how did your personal experience influence the creation of your character?
Ana is newly pregnant, so we don’t see her interacting with a child but rather with her belly. I’d say what I connected with most was the amazing feeling of filming all day with a belly strapped on—breaking for lunch with the belly still there, carrying it around until I got attached to it. I was one second away from asking to take it home (she says, laughing).
"I connected with the amazing feeling of filming all day with a belly strapped on"
Lucas, as a father, how did your own experience influence your portrayal of Pancho?
Pancho never imagined becoming a father. It just happened to him, unplanned. He lives life with total freedom and, in many ways, a lot of immaturity. My own experience as a father helped me when working with kids (close in age to my daughter) and to have fun with them as if I were another kid. To support them through the long shooting hours and soak up the magic children bring to play.
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What message do you hope Papá X Dos conveys about new family models and the flexibility of parental roles?
Lucas: We don’t want to preach, but maybe ease judgment. Families can be composed in any way—there’s no need to follow old patterns or pre-installed mandates. Hopefully, the film shines a little light on the idea of looking forward with open hearts and focusing on children’s well-being. At the end of the day, it’s all for them. They don’t come into families with conditions or prejudices—we impose those. This movie simply portrays a scenario that could happen, where in the end, everyone finds balance to build a united family.
Celeste: That it’s never too late to deconstruct ourselves, and sometimes we have the chance to do it daily. We’re all in a constant process of breaking down and rebuilding—always, no matter our age.
Porteño Ping Pong
A Buenos Aires neighborhood where you’d get lost without fear
Lucas: I’m alert in all of them, but without fear.
Celeste: Colegiales.
Specialty coffee or a simple cortado?
Lucas: I prefer mate (but I’ll have a cortado).
Celeste: Latte, or chai latte.
A porteño dish you can’t resist
Lucas: Milanesa with fries—and if we’re in the mood, a fried egg on top.
Celeste: Lentil stew.
Your ideal Sunday plan in Buenos Aires
Lucas: A walk somewhere with nature or greenery. A barbecue with friends and family, theater or cinema, and bed early.
Celeste: Buenos Aires plazas are always there for us. I often take my youngest son to play soccer, make new friends, and interact with other kids.
Something about the city that always surprises you
Lucas: Its constant reinvention. Living outside Argentina, every time I come back I find so many new places—shops, cafés, restaurants. The sheer number of shows and cultural activities.
Celeste: That there are always things to do. Going to the theater and then walking along Calle Corrientes for food, exploring Chinatown and all its wonders, all the options and gastronomic diversity. Plus, there are always interesting courses to take (at Malba, Amigos de Bellas Artes, Di Tella). Buenos Aires is a city that never sleeps—and dreams wide awake.
A Buenos Aires neighborhood with movie-like charm
Lucas: Palermo and its endless corners.
Celeste: San Telmo, Recoleta, La Boca—all of them feel cinematic. There’s a director for every location.