Fantasmas: Julio Torres on Art Surviving in Late-Stage Capitalism
LISTEN ON:
In his absurdist, expressionistic, Peabody Award-winning sketch series Fantasmas, writer, creator, and performer Julio Torres creates a world where people need “proof of existence” to rent apartments, elves sue Santa for labor violations, and not only do hamsters have gay bars, but they’re quickly replaced by a hamster CVS. Through Torres’ trademark sense of wit and magic, this series asks the question, “Can art survive late-stage capitalism?”
Episode Description
Host Gabe González introduces us to the brilliant, absurdist, hilarious Peabody Award-winning HBO series Fantasmas. In a funny, enlivening conversation with creator, writer, and comedian Julio Torres, they explore how Torres uses humor to uncover the real absurdity of our immigration, healthcare, and economic systems. They discuss how creating fiction – like the “proof of existence” that the fictional Julio is so desperate to avoid – can expose our even stranger realities, like the “aliens of extraordinary abilities” visa that real Julio applied for when immigrating to the U.S. In the second half, Gabe speaks with Andrew DeWaard, author of Derivative Media: How Wall Street Devours Culture. Andrew’s work focuses on the cultural cost of the financialization of media. And don’t worry, he also explains what the word “financialization” means.
Show Resources
-
Joel Kim Booster Presents Greta Titelman the Peabody for Fantasmas at 85th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony
-
“Trust the artist!” YouTube Short––Executive Producer Alex Bach and actor Greta Titelman share an important message
-
Peabody Finds Newsletter:The Quirkiest Shows You’re Not Watching