What happens when you stare fear in the face and choose to laugh? Filmmaker Zinzi Gugu Johnson joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power to discuss “Fears,” her new short film that turns American anxieties into darkly humorous cinema. Don’t miss this surprisingly funny episode on embracing your fears as fuel.
Episode Highlights With Zinzi Gugu Johnson
- Zinzi Gugu Johnson breaks down her latest project, “Fears,” part of an ongoing short film series titled Feelings. Shot in black-and-white 16mm film, her work combines raw emotional themes with a dark, slightly absurdist humor that gently pulls viewers through the heaviness.
- Scott and Zinzi swap Midwest stories, discover their shared love for Chicago and its art scene, and chat about Zinzi’s upbringing on a rural Wisconsin farm.
- Zinzi reflects on her inner diplomat, her frustration with apolitical creative spaces, and her drive to bring inclusion and queerness into traditionally white-washed country music through “Horse Tour,” an upcoming project featuring six female country musicians.
- Zinzi shares her love for the “happening”—immersive, live art events, and explains how bringing kids into the creative process matters now more than ever.
- An honest look at the challenges of parenthood, saying “no” as an artist, and finding hope in dark times, even if that hope sometimes comes on a Berlin dance floor.
Quotables
- “I’ve noticed Americans may have forgotten how to feel, not just what to feel but the mechanics of feeling.” — Zinzi Gugu Johnson
- “The antidote to this crippling panic is love. And Zinzi loves us very much.” — Scott “Sourdough” Power
- “You can’t script nature.” — Zinzi Gugu Johnson
- “Stay pure. Stay a virgin. So you can make porn.” — Scott “Sourdough” Power
Mentions & Shoutouts
- Arts Publicist Heidi Johnson of Hijinx (@hijinxarts)
- Pop-surrealist Camille Rose Garcia (@crgstudios)
- DJ Gigola’s Techno Gratitude Practice (@dj_gigola)
Where To Follow Zinzi Gugu Johnson
- Vimeo
- IG: @zinzigugujohnson (stay tuned for “Horse Tour”)
- Piece Orange Productions: a women-led video and film production company founded by Zinzi
Episode Credits
- Music: Theme by Ricky Peugeot & Desi Delauro of Parlor Social (@parlorsocial)
- Produced by: Crewest Studios, L.A. (@creweststudio)
- Subscribe to the NOT REAL ART podcast and share to keep creative culture alive—and maybe spot our sticker the next time you’re cruising questionable corners of the internet.