Jack talks ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ with Colombian protagonist Natalia Reyes who shares how she thought she was auditioning for a maid role in James Cameron’s new Terminator sequel. Little did she know she was going to become the lead star of an iconic franchise! Then he talks to Columbia University professor, author, and Latinx authority Ed Morales, about his new book ‘Latinx: The New Force in American Politics and Culture’ as they discuss why America has embraced the new Latinx boom.

Music Playlist

Lo Mejor de Mi - Noel Schajris

Bonito - Marco Mares, Greta

El Vacile - Systema Solar

Basil Tsiokas, the program director of DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, joins us to speak about this year’s LatinX documentaries and why so many LatinX stories are starting to be made (1:06). And if you’re going to the movies, film and culture critic Mike Sargent talks to me about two new releases - Hugh Jackman’s political drama The Frontrunner and the WW2 horror-action film Overlord (16:09).

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Producer and CEO of 3Pas Studios, Ben Odell, is our guest this week. He shares the fascinating story behind his critically acclaimed new film 'Radical,' starring Eugenio Derbez. The film centers on a gifted but disadvantaged group of students in Mexico whose lives are transformed by an unconventional new teacher.

Hear how the film was received differently by Mexican versus American audiences, Eugenio's decade-long journey to becoming a dramatic actor, the challenges Latinos face in gaining Oscar recognition, and the surprising story of how the film's rights were nearly lost.

Highly Relevant Playlist
Alch Si - (Carin León feat. Grupo Frontera)

Nostalgia - (FlowGPT feat. AI Bad Bunny)

Vueltas - (Noah Pino Palo)

'How the Gringo Stole Christmas' is one of only a handful of Latino-centered holiday films ever made. This week, its director, Venezuelan-American Angel Gracia, joins the show to discuss this pressing question: Why are Latino holiday movies so rare? Plus, we discuss his rich three-decade journey in filmmaking, the challenges of authentically casting Latino roles, and the hard business truths of making art in Hollywood.

Episode Summary:

• Angel's diverse upbringing and experiences living as a foreigner in different countries, inform his storytelling
• Casting George Lopez and connecting with his real-life experience as a Latino dad to a daughter dating someone outside their culture
• Casting considerations and controversies around Latinx actors playing roles outside their specific heritage
• The business side of Hollywood casting and how it impacts creative decisions
• The importance of authenticity in storytelling while also serving the main genre/purpose of the story
• Angel's plans to build Super Studios, a new production studio and school in Texas, as a more affordable alternative to Hollywood

Highly Relevant Playlist
Monaco - Lagos feat. Danny Ocean
Cinturita - Reggie El Autentico
Yasser Tejeda - Pa' Sembrar

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Legendary music producer Gustavo Santaolalla has crafted the soundtrack to Rock En Español, producing career-defining albums for Café Tacvba, Molotov, Juanes, and many more. He is one of only three composers to win consecutive Academy Awards for Best Original Score for Brokeback Mountain and Babel. In our wide-ranging conversation, Gustavo shares his philosophical views on art, humanity, the spiritual connection he finds in music, and the state of the creative industry today. We begin with how Gustavo's hard-knock life in 1960s Argentina led to an explosion of boundary-pushing creativity still felt in music today.

Episode Key Quotes:

"The album 'Arcoiris' is a blueprint of my career. In that album, you're going to find the music for the movies, the songs, the production tricks."

"It's creativity, art, and music that moves you in any art. It's what keeps us sane."

"In the next 20 years, we're going to have to make big decisions and big changes or this can go away, really."

Highly Relevant Playlist
The Last Of Us - Gustavo Santaolalla
Eres - Cafe Tacvuba
Frijolero - Molotov

Matt Tyrnauer is the director of the new documentary STUDIO 54, which he calls the definitive documentary on the legendary nightclub. We talk why STUDIO 54 co-creator Ian Schrager broke his silence, why the magic of the club was never able to be replicated, and how Schrager overcame jail time to become a hotel magnate.

Then I chat with A Star Is Born actor Anthony Ramos, who plays Lady Gaga’s best friend in the film many critics are calling the best movie of the year. We discuss what director Bradley Cooper saw in him, the madness of his time on Broadway’s Hamilton, and after having already worked with giants Lin-Manuel Miranda and Lady Gaga how he has managed to stay grounded and ambitious.

Would you like to get in touch with us? Email us at highlyrelevant@showbizcafe.com and help us spread the word on social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating, a review and please subscribe!

Ways to subscribe to Highly Relevant with Jack Rico:

• Click here to subscribe via iTunes • Click here to subscribe via Spotify • Click here to subscribe via Stitcher

This week, renowned Colombian band Monsieur Periné joins the show to discuss their latest release, 'Bolero Apocaliptico'. We interview them about the evolution of their musical style, how they challenge traditional love narratives, and the influence of Afro-Colombian roots on their work. The conversation also navigates thought-provoking issues, such as cultural appropriation and white identity in Latin music, as well as discovering sources of love in an increasingly loveless world.

Episode Summary

• Monsieur Periné discuss their new album, "Bolero Apocaliptico" and what it means
• Catalina Garcia and Santiago Prieto share their views on where they find love in a growing loveless world
• The band talks about the Afro-Colombian influences in their music and beyond
• Monsieur Periné speak on cultural appropriation and white identity in Latin music

Highly Relevant Playlist
unx100to - Grupo Frontera, Bad Bunny
Mundo Parallelo - Monsieur Periné y Pedro Capó
Tu y Tu - Los Angeles Azules

In this week's episode, we welcome singer Julio Iglesias Jr. who celebrated his 50th birthday with a new big band album titled "Under The Covers" out now, his first musical project in 15 years. He also opens up about his father Julio Sr. and superstar brother Enrique and how he defines himself in terms of race, culture, and identity.

Interview with Julio Iglesias Jr.:
Segment 1: Julio's Musical Journey

• Julio discussed his love for his last album, Tercera Dimensión, a Spanish rock record in 2003, which is still one of his favorite records.
• After that, he did a cover record in Spain, but it was a quicky kind of record that didn't turn out well.
• He then joined a French project man band called "Latin Lover," where they did a cover of "BK" in French.
• Julio reveals how he found his passion for big band music and how his producer Rudy Perez helped him create his latest album.
• Julio explains that he doesn't follow trends and only sings what he loves, which is why he defied the trend of singing reggaeton or urban music.

Segment 2: Julio's Identity

• Jack Rico asks Julio how he culturally identifies, whether as Hispanic, Spaniard, or Latino.
• Julio admits that he is confused about his identity and explains why.
• Julio says that he has always felt comfortable embracing his father's music and sees himself doing that type of music as opposed to his brother Enrique.

Segment 3: Embracing Family and Music

• Jack Rico asks Julio why he is so comfortable embracing his family, despite the media trying to create a different narrative.
• Julio explains that he grew up listening to his father's music and sees himself as a true fan of his dad's music.
• Julio talks about how he doesn't see Enrique singing his father's songs, but he loves doing it himself.
• Julio says that he loves his family and enjoys touring with his dad whenever he can.

Highly Relevant Playlist:

• Tormenta - Gorillaz feat Bad Bunny
  Tu Veneno - Silvestre y La Naranja
  Tan Basico - Los Rumberos

Highly Relevant Podcast
'Highly Relevant' is a Latino pop culture podcast hosted by Jack Rico, TV host, journalist, and film critic since 2016. He interviews Latino actors, musicians, journalists, and media executives to explore their impact on mainstream culture and entertainment.