Screening of the documentary The Problem with Apu, Sunday the 30th of September at 17h at the CCCB Hall.
The Simpsons were first aired almost 30 years ago, and they are an impeccable example of caustic humor without being easy or cheap, a multi-generational reference; living history of TV. Yet, as it happens with that old uncle who used to crack us up with during Christmas meals but who now feels kind of stale, those yellow characters created by Matt Groening we’re so fond of have a couple details that maybe should have stayed in the XXth century. Hari Kondabolu, a second generation American Indian, summons defendant Apu Nahasapeemapetilon to testify.
The owner of the Kwik-E-Mart has a little problem besides the stereotypes he perpetuates, which is that he’s voiced by Hank Azaria, a white actor. Taking this matter that not many had noticed but that has been hurtful to a whole community that barely had any media representation, Hari Kondabolu set up this short but concise TV documentary in which he interviews colleagues (Kal Penn, Sakina Jaffrey, Aziz Anzari and even Whoopi Goldberg) and people on the street, all with a major goal: discussing the matter with Azaria. We can only say that there have been results; not only did he end up answering, but so did Matt Groening and Lisa Simpson herself.
“The Problem with Apu” Courtesy of TruTV, A Time Warner Company.
Screening in English with Catalan subtitles.
