Tilda Swinton transforms once again for a role, this time as a deranged but captivating art critic for Julio Torres’ satire ‘Problemista’.
The film debuted at the 2023 SXSW, with Torres marking his feature film directorial debut out of ‘Los Espookys’. Torres plays Alejandro, an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who is struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time runs out on his work visa, a job assisting an art-world outcast (Swinton) becomes her only hope of staying in the country and fulfilling his dream. Torres writes and directs the surreal adventure film that shows the pitfalls of the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the US immigration system.
RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra and Greta Lee round out the A24 film. Torres also produces, along with Emma Stone, Dave McCary and Ali Herting. “Problemist” is on IndieWire’s list of must-see movies this summer.
Actress Swinton stressed during SXSW’s post-screening Q&A that her former character art critic Elizabeth is not a “Karen” in terms of Torres’ relationship with Alejandro.
“A Karen is an insider, and Elizabeth is an outsider. This is the love story: these are two outsiders, who are both immigrants, by the way,” Swinton said. “So she, at one point, had to go through the ropes the same way. Well, not quite the same way. But this is a change I would make to your question.
IndieWire’s review praised the scope of “Problemista” and writer-director Torres’ relatable portrayal of the immigrant experience.
“Torres offers perhaps the best film about the Latino experience in the US since SXSW,” reads the review. “The otherworldly magical realism helps heighten the absurdity of the immigration system without weighing on the humor of the story. Torres attributes the same frustration to the smallest inconveniences as to the big systematic issues.
The review continues: “Torres’ directorial debut is a confident and imaginative calling card, a film that has as much to say about the immigrant experience as it does about being an artist who seeks to remain unique and personal, as he simply offers a captivating and hilarious comedy.
“Problemista” will premiere August 4 in limited theaters. Check out the trailer below.
