Adult Swim’s Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Is A Triumphant Celebration Of Latin American Identity

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Gonzalo Cordova blended his recollections of summers spent in Ecuador during his childhood with the work of renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, best known for movies like “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” “Talk to Her,” and “Parallel Mothers.” This fusion led to the creation of the new Adult Swim series titled “Shoulder Pads Wearing Women.” This captivating, dramatic series revolves around Marioneta Negocios, a businesswoman from Spain, as she journeys through love, high society, secrets, stalking, and other complexities in the vibrant city of Quito, Ecuador. A tribute to Latin American culture and identity, this show was conceived by Cordova and brought to life by Mexico-based animation studio Cinema Fantasma.

Arturo Ambriz, co-founder of Cinema Fantasma, expressed his belief that the upcoming show will be highly significant for the Latin American community during a chat with Game Rant. His brother and fellow co-founder, Roy, as well as series creator Gonzalo Cordova, shared this sentiment. They noted that “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” is unique as one of the first shows to air on Adult Swim in Spanish with English subtitles. The team hopes that this series will serve as a catalyst for more non-English shows, particularly those from Latin America, in the future. They eagerly anticipate responses from both US and Latin American audiences.

Women Wearing Shoulder Pads Aims For Honesty, Not Cliche

Gonzalo Cordova relocated to the United States when he was six years old, yet he always found his way back to Ecuador during each summer vacation. A large part of the piece titled “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads ” stems from the hazy, partially recalled, whimsical memories of his early life, which include overhearing anecdotes from his parents, observing his mother’s sketchbooks filled with designs from her fashion studies, and experiencing cuy (a specific kind of guinea pig) as a culinary dish for the first time at a roadside eatery.

The genuine quality in Cordova’s pitch struck a chord with the Ambriz brothers, who immediately felt drawn to bring the “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” series to life. Founders of the stop-motion animation studio appreciated the authenticity of the show and its avoidance of stereotypical portrayals of Latin American identity commonly seen on TV. Arturo Ambriz expressed:

“The authenticity in Cordova’s pitch really spoke to us, and we felt compelled to be the ones to animate this unique series.

The depiction of us on screen doesn’t match our self-image as Latin Americans. We notice subtle elements such as details in the sets, costumes, character behaviors, and even the way they gesture – which are distinctly Latin American. This kind of authentic representation is seldom seen on television.

Latin American Identity And Inspiration Is Everywhere In The Show

Besides Cordova’s own childhood experiences, the creation of “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” was also influenced by a multitude of sources. A perpetual smile graced the show’s creator as he listed these inspirations: Los Angeles marionette theater, the acting roles of Joan Crawford, the Spanish-language comedy show “Los Espookys,” and many more. However, his primary inspiration stemmed from the works of renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and the iconic actors associated with him, such as Carmen Maura, Penélope Cruz, and even Antonio Banderas (although the show doesn’t feature male characters). In crafting “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,” Cordova skillfully combined significant cultural media elements with his personal history to produce a work that could profoundly resonate with a diverse audience.

In essence, Cordova and the Ambriz brothers aspire that Latin American audiences can identify with “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” and find reflections of themselves, their loved ones, their past, and their culture on screen. They are also eagerly anticipating an increase in Mexican and Latin American-made shows being aired on US networks. Ideally, they hope their production will initiate such a trend.

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2025-08-16 01:37