Julio Torres, the former “Saturday Night Live” writer known for his galactic visual sensibility, made a splash at a reception in Manhattan for his new HBO series, “Fantasmas.” Sporting a purse shaped like a fish, Torres mingled with friends and collaborators at a Chelsea cocktail bar before the screening of the first two episodes of his show at the L.G.B.T.Q. film festival NewFest Pride.
The series, set in an eerie dreamscape between Williamsburg and Roku City, features a star-studded cast including Steve Buscemi, Ziwe Fumudoh, and Julia Fox. Torres explores the trade-offs required to make art, touching on the creative compromises faced by young artists seeking financial security and a larger audience.
Guests at the reception praised Torres for his ability to reach wide audiences without diluting his eccentricity. As the night progressed, the group moved uptown to the SVA Theater for a free screening of “Fantasmas,” where over 400 fans lined up to catch a glimpse of the quirky and thought-provoking series.
With themes of creativity, compromise, and the pursuit of artistic freedom, “Fantasmas” promises to be a must-watch for those navigating the tumultuous waters of the entertainment industry. Torres’s unique vision and ability to blend humor with introspection have solidified his place as a rising star in the world of television.
