FILM: SURREAL STRUGGLES: 'PROBLEMISTA' EXPLORES IMMIGRANT IDENTITY THROUGH ART
BY: IRVIN RIVERA
Julio Torres’ magic realism piece (written, directed and acted by him) is definitely not for everyone, and that’s okay. Some may get it, some won’t, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a magical story that exists in its own world (inhabited by the redhead tyrannical hydra art critic Tilda Swinton, the immigrant Julio, etc.) but also universal enough to be relatable enough to a lot of people experiencing similar circumstances in their lives. It invites us, the audience, into an offbeat narrative that interlaces aspiration with the absurdities of the art world and immigration challenges.
It’s A24. It’s art. I mean, it’s literally a surreal film about art and the themes revolving around art and its relationship to society, to the people involved, to the people doing it, to the audience, and all its periphery. It is beautiful. And it’s gorgeous in a lot of ways- opening credits, the cinematography, the magic realism, the visuals, the costumes, the actors, and the layers of narratives interwoven to create this wild tale about an immigrant who was forced to evolve and adapt through the pressures of society, immigration, and the literal trickling of the sand of time.
Problemista is a story that centers on Alejandro (Julio Torres), a struggling, earnest and imaginative toy designer from El Salvador, whose dreams of making it in New York are as unconventional as they are vibrant. However, Alejandro finds himself in a race against time as his work visa's expiration looms, threatening to uproot him from the city that symbolizes his aspirations. In a desperate bid to remain in the U.S., Alejandro secures a job as an assistant to an unpredictable, toxic, figure in the art world - the redhead Elizabeth (played by Tilda Swinton), whose eccentricities are as challenging as they are potentially liberating for Alejandro's creative ambitions. The film also stars RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, and Isabella Rosselini.
I’ll consume anything with Tilda Swinton- whether it’s a Tim Walker fashion editorial, her films with the favorite directors she works with, or random art talks on random forums and appearances in other movie premieres. In this film, Tilda Swinton really becomes her character and I actually love her as this fiery, loud, entitled, crazy redhead- the complete opposite of Julio’s meek, adorable, charming and soft-spoken character. Watching her made me smile as she reminded me of so many people that I know who irritated me at first, but eventually fascinated me. They have their ways of navigating their world, and they know how to use the power of their privilege. It's a heightened privilege in action, and this character- Elizabeth is in a lot of places. They can be difficult, overwhelming, intimidating, but also challenging and ironically charming at the same time- and I think that’s where the Alejandro/Elizabeth paradigm comes in. There’s an undeniable co-dependence with these characters, a relationship that also happens a lot in real life. It’s masochistic in a lot of ways and was summed up perfectly by Elizabeth’s statement from the film- "You love difficulty, you can't get enough of it, you seek it out.” In a lot of ways, these two characters need each other and taught each other lessons that would help them move forward with their lives.
I mean, this film has layers of social commentaries stacked into each other, and they’re not even subtle at all. I love the use of magic realism and art everywhere- from the opening credits all the way to the art installation of Alejandro’s mom, to the future, in a room full of defrosted people meeting.
Overall, the tone is light and quirky yet it’s deep at the same time. Remember layers? I felt like the beats of the film's chapters are paced enough for you to process the layers of narratives presented to you. I liked it and will definitely watch it again as I find this film weirdly therapeutic in a lot of ways. First, the use of magic realism takes me to back to my love of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then the tender remote moments between Alejandro and his mom reminded me of home, Rza’s egg paintings reminded me of some of my friends’ stories and Tilda Swinton’s delusional toxic character really took me back to those people that I know and encountered who shared a lot of the same characteristics.
“Problemista" weaves a tale that is at once a critique and a celebration of the quirks and trials of pursuing one's dreams in a foreign land. Through Alejandro's journey, the film explores themes of identity, belonging, and the often surreal path to achieving one’s dreams against the backdrop of New York's vibrant but daunting landscape. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and a touch of surrealism, the film offers a fresh and poignant look at the immigrant experience, the relentless pursuit of creative fulfillment, and the unexpected connections that can help us find our place in the world.
