In the seven-episode limited series “I’m a Virgo,” executive producer Michael Ellenberg teamed up with filmmaker Boots Riley to create a genre-bending urban fantasy tale. The show follows the journey of Cootie, a 13-foot giant teenager in Oakland, played by Jharrel Jerome. Ellenberg describes the series as a coming-of-age story, an origin story, and a love letter to protests and movements like Black Lives Matter.
Ellenberg was inspired to work with Riley after seeing his film “Sorry to Bother You” at Sundance. He was blown away by the originality and freshness of Riley’s voice and knew he wanted to collaborate with him. After several meetings, Riley pitched the idea of a story about a 13-foot giant leaving his home on his 19th birthday, and Ellenberg immediately jumped on board.
Cootie’s character is portrayed as an innocent, spiritual being in the series. His parents warn him that people will try to exploit him and eventually kill him when they have no further use for him. There is certainly a spiritual connotation to Cootie’s character, as the story is meant to be mythic and mysterious. The series raises questions about Cootie’s purpose and whether he is meant to serve himself or others. It also explores the everyday aspects of Cootie’s life, such as navigating friendship, love, and political awareness.
One of the central themes in “I’m a Virgo” is the idea of making the world feel comfortable around Cootie, despite his large stature. He must navigate whether he can be himself and how to use his status to uplift himself and his community. Each character in the series has their strengths and weaknesses, which are often intertwined. Joy and tragedy go hand in hand, and this dichotomy reflects the Black experience in America, according to Riley.
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The series was filmed in New Orleans and Oakland, with the stage work done in New Orleans and the exterior shots captured in Oakland. In terms of visual effects, the show takes a more old-school approach, incorporating handmade, tactile elements. While some CGI is used, the goal was to create a fantastical and surreal world that feels authentic and not artificial. The series includes elements of animation, 2D, and cel animation.
As for Cootie’s adoptive parents, Ellenberg leaves it to Riley to reveal any further spoilers. However, he teases that viewers will learn more about Cootie’s background in the first season and may discover even more in future seasons.
Overall, “I’m a Virgo” is a unique and boundary-pushing series that explores themes of identity, power, and justice. It challenges viewers to look beyond the everyday and imagine a world where things can be different. With its captivating storytelling and visually striking elements, the show aims to expand minds and inspire viewers to question the status quo.
