Fabrizio Copano uses comedy to address political issues

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked Latinx comedians and creators we admire how comedy has helped them overcome trauma and face their most important challenges. how in life. Read the sections here.

Fabrizio Copano, a rising star in the world of stand-up comedy, is not your typical Latin comic. His journey, shaped by his upbringing in Chile under a dictatorship and his subsequent disillusionment with the American Dream, fosters a unique comedic perspective that addresses the Serious political and cultural topics.

Copano’s early life in Chile was marked by the end of political turmoil. Growing up, he witnessed firsthand the harsh consequences of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, a period characterized by repression, human rights violations, and a stifling political atmosphere. This experience certainly contrasted with the ideal image of America he received through the media.

“Chile is very Americanized in certain ways, and we looked up [to] “The culture shock was when I realized that we are ahead of America in many ways because we have gone through many of the traumas that America is facing now,” Copano said.

When Copano realized America was “just as messy,” it allowed him to view Americans from a more humane lens. “The system is not as perfect as it seems,” Copano said. Now I use this idea to assert that we are ahead of America – we are from the future.”

Indeed, Copano uses comedy to explore the disillusionment that occurs when the romanticized American dream is faced with America’s often harsh realities. Copano weaves jokes about the American obsession with individualism clashing with the collectivist values ​​instilled in him growing up in Chile.

Unlike many US-born Latine comics who mine humor from the shared experience of navigating American life as a minority, Copano offers a fresh perspective. He brings Chilean history, culture and political sensibilities into his routine, creating a richer and more nuanced portrait of the Latino experience.

“A comedian can touch your nerves [what’s going on in] society. Through laughter, you can be a little more open to thinking or seeing things in a certain way that the comedian is suggesting. You can take advantage of chaos,” he said. “That’s why I like to give my little opinions. I think we Latinos are the future. We are everywhere, but at the same time, we are always there [portrayed as] victim in a very narrow way, that is not the truth.”

Copano’s achievement as the first South American comedian to have a stand-up on Netflix is ​​a testament to his talent and perseverance. But opening this path is not easy. He faced challenges, including limited spaces for exposure to comedy or pressure to conform to stereotypical expectations of Latino humor. However, his success paved the way for future Latin American comedians, demonstrating the global appeal of their unique perspectives.

When Netflix approached him for his special “Solo pienso en mi,” released in 2017, he wanted his comedy to resonate with viewers no matter where they came from.

“I got to do a comedy tour,” Copano said. “Then doing comedy in English is a different challenge – how do you connect with people who have nothing to do with you and find things that are so universal or personal that you take them to your world and they can connect through their own world.” lens?”

by Copano US touring stand-up show “Baby Coup” addresses the worrying rise of fascism around the world. He recognized the power of humor to entertain audiences and make complex political issues more accessible. Laughter can create a sense of connection, allowing you to plant important seeds while still engaging your audience. He uses satire to expose the manipulative tactics of fascist leaders and uses dark humor to highlight the dangers of complacency in the face of rising authoritarianism. increase.

“Funny things are everywhere — misery is everywhere, so you can find funny things in misery,” Copano said. “Through trauma and experience, you can still see the scars, but if you can find a humorous way to talk about these topics and evoke it, you’ll refresh people’s memories.” and reflect on how silly it is.”

Copano looks forward to taping his first hour-long special in English this summer.

“It’s about my first years in America, the culture clash, the disappointments but also all the wonderful things,” Copano explains.

Copano’s comedy reminds us that humor can be a powerful tool to spark dialogue and challenge the status quo. Especially in the Latino community, humor tends to play an important role in survival. It serves as a coping mechanism to deal with difficult circumstances, a way to bond over shared experiences, and a tool to challenge authority.

Copano’s unique perspective not only offers valuable lessons, but also shows us how to face darkness with laughter, find strength in shared experiences, and maybe even inspire for change, one joke at a time.

“I was just trying to make the point that while many Latinos are victims of wrongdoing from our government, we are human beings too,” he said. “We have a mind of our own, we’re super smart, we’re driven, we know what we want and we know what the United States needs now and that can be very helpful when democracy is in danger. “

Kimmy Dole is a PS Juntos contributor, known for his insights and engaging storytelling. An entertainment enthusiast, Kimmy immerses herself in the glamor of the industry, delivering a captivating mix of celebrity interviews, insights from industry experts, and cultural trends latest mass. Her work gives readers an honest and relatable perspective, especially when exploring the complexities of relationships.