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No one has an eye for curious ephemera quite like children watching TV.
Theres an argument to be made that we should put Alfonso Cuarons Netflix-distributed filmRomain this category.
Im speaking about the man known as Professor Zovek.
We see him twice inRoma, where he is played by professional wrestler Latin Lover.
There, he declares that he will perform a near-impossible feat.
He then raises his arms above his head and stands on one leg.
None can keep their balance.
Sure enough, I was right.
And thats a cornucopia compared to the English offerings.
Nevertheless, a few key facts are indisputable.
He eludes our grasp.
His early years were filled with pain and aspiration.
The legend is that a relative exclaimed that it was a miracle and the boy responded, What miracle?
My own will made this happen.
He would do stunts on television shows or at live events, drawing out crowds of increasing sizes.
But Zoveks true home was on one particular variety show: the aforementionedSiempre en Domingo.
Zovek was a regular there, and his shtick is still imprinted on those who saw it as kids.
Hed strap himself in chains and theyd hang him upside down.
He would lift heavy stuff, like a car with people inside.
Hed pull cars or heavy objects with you guessed it his teeth.
It helped that mass media was highly centralized in this period.
Zovek was a perfect fit: entertaining but wholly unrevolutionary.
He was just part of the pantheon of Mexican popular culture.
However, Zovek was tragically unable to enjoy those fruits of his labor.
While filming the two movies, he died in public under circumstances that have never been conclusively explained.
That threw Zovek off the rope and he slammed into the ground.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died from fractures throughout his body.
As such, people whispered that the pilot had killed the performer as a political act of assassination.
Zovek had these superhero qualities, but was also flesh and bone.
