Women Wearing Shoulder Pads: A Unique Blend of Animation and Culture
Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, a new series on Adult Swim, is a Spanish-language telenovela set in Ecuador. This show draws inspiration from George Cukor’s 1939 film The Women, but features modern storytelling techniques, particularly stop-motion animation. Created by Gonzalo Cordova in collaboration with Cinema Fantasma cofounders Arturo and Roy Ambriz, the show aims to explore the complexities of Latin American identity through both humor and cultural specificity.
The series follows Marioneta Negocios, a Spanish entrepreneur who has created a successful life in Quito, Ecuador. Unlike most locals who view cuyes (guinea pigs) as a traditional delicacy, Marioneta considers them as pets. Her plan to sabotage her rival, Doña Quispe, involves undermining cuyes as a food source, a move that complicates her relationship with her on-again/off-again lover, Espada, who competes in cuy-fighting.
Cordova emphasized the importance of presenting the narrative authentically in Spanish, believing that an English version would undermine the story’s integrity. This decision is notable as it is the first series in Spanish for Adult Swim. The show incorporates elements of absurdity and song, characteristic of Adult Swim’s repertoire, while also striving for cinematic quality.
The creative team noted challenges in stop-motion production, particularly in achieving dynamic camera movements and intricate lighting. Cordova aimed for a high-concept approach, ensuring that each scene is unique and maintains a level of complexity rare in animated series.
Women Wearing Shoulder Pads is designed to be both engaging and thought-provoking, with a focus on female characters and queer relationships. The show is expected to evolve, potentially featuring different women and stories in future seasons. The first episode will air this Sunday, with a feature-length special set to be available on HBO Max on September 29.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tv/777484/women-wearing-shoulder-pads-interview