Problemista

Problemista is a 2023 American surrealist comedy film written, directed, and produced by Julio Torres. It stars Tilda Swinton, Torres, RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, and Isabella Rossellini. The film follows a struggling aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who starts working for an erratic art-world outcast in New York City, hoping to stay in the country and realize his dream before his work visa expires.
It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 14, 2023, and was released in the United States on March 1, 2024, by A24.
== Plot ==
During Alejandro's childhood in El Salvador, he and his mother create various imaginative creations, with him being his mother's finest. His mother recounts a recurring dream of him venturing into a mysterious cave, symbolizing his arrival to the unknown, otherwise the United States.
In the present day, Alejandro resides in Bushwick, sharing an apartment with two roommates, including the vivacious party-lover Spray. Despite his dreams to be a wondrous toy maker at Hasbro, offering ideas like a Barbie with crossed fingers or Cabbage Patch Kids with smartphones, Alejandro faces an automated rejection email from the toy giant.
Left with very few options, Alejandro acquires a job as a minder at FreezeCorp, where he is tasked with overseeing the cryogenically frozen artist Bobby. A supervisor spots him "tampering" with one of the machine's vital plugs, which lands him an immediate termination from his manager, Sharon, despite any damage to Bobby's health. A chance encounter with Bobby's eccentric and demanding art critic wife, Elizabeth, leads to their proposal to work together. She tasks him with collecting Bobby's 13 egg paintings for an upcoming exhibition, where she promises sponsorship upon completion. However, Alejandro is informed he cannot collect any form of payment until Elizabeth becomes his sponsor, which demeans the show's possible success due to lack of funds.
Navigating the complexities of immigration bureaucracy, symbolized by surrealistic exchange rooms, Alejandro faces deportation if he fails to find a sponsor within 30 days. Desperate for payment to cover the extreme visa fees, Alejandro turns to a whimsically presented Craigslist, taking several sketchy opportunities and jobs. He continues juggling the perplexing jobs for cash, even lending his room out and becoming a cleaning boy. He also discovers through social media that Hasbro has taken his design ideas for profit, particularly the Cabbage Patch Kids line.
As Alejandro grapples with these challenges, Elizabeth introduces another assistant, the privileged Bingham, further jeopardizing Alejandro's position. Alejandro reconciles Elizabeth with Dalia, a student artist who possesses Bobby's final egg painting. Elizabeth, jealous of Dalia's relationship with Bobby, had previously written a scathing review of Dalia's work, negatively impacting her career. Alejandro writes a heartfelt apology letter on Elizabeth's behalf, leading to Dalia's tearful acceptance and release of the painting.
Alejandro secures a solo show for Bobby at a Roosevelt Island gallery Elizabeth despises and chastises. However, she begrudgingly agrees and they are both disappointed to learn they are only afforded a singular wall. A frustrated Elizabeth begins to belittle the gallery's owner before hesitantly accepting to sell all of Bobby's paintings to them. Alejandro calls his mother to inform of their success, but Elizabeth interrupts with a shocking voice message. She reveals her decision to cryogenically freeze herself to remain with Bobby in the future. She also urges Alejandro to stand up for himself and to confront Hasbro with three things: a job in their internship program, a sponsorship from one of the higher-ups, and a visa.
Empowered by Elizabeth's message, Alejandro confronts Hasbro with evidence of his stolen design, securing a job within the company. Centuries later, a now-elderly Alejandro, who also chose cryogenic preservation, reunites with a reawakened Elizabeth, their bond transcending time.
== Cast ==
* Julio Torres as Alejandro, an immigrant toy maker
* Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth, an artist and Alejandro's employer
* RZA as Bobby, Elizabeth's late husband
* Isabella Rossellini as the narrator
* Catalina Saavedra as Dolores, Alejandro's mother
* James Scully as Bingham, Elizabeth's secondary assistant
* Laith Nakli as Khalil, an immigration officer
* Spike Einbinder as Spray, Alejandro's roommate
* Greta Lee as Dalia, Bobby's apprentice
* Larry Owens as Craigslist, a personification of the website
* Kelly McCormack as Sharon, a FreezeCorp representative
* Greta Titelman as Celeste, Elizabeth's former employee
* Martine Gutierrez as gallerist
* Megan Stalter as Lili
* Charlene Incarnate as MC, an art studio organizer
* Theo Maltz as Travis, who rents Alejandro's room
== Production ==
In July 2021, it was announced that Tilda Swinton would star in the film and Julio Torres would costar in and direct it, from a screenplay he wrote, with A24 set to finance and distribute. In November 2021, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Greta Lee, Spike Einbinder, Laith Nakil, Larry Owens, James Scully, and Greta Titelman joined the cast of the film. Emma Stone serves as a producer under her Fruit Tree banner.
Principal photography began in November 2021 in New York City.
== Release ==
The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 13, 2023. It was scheduled to be released in the United States on August 4, 2023, before it was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. It was eventually rescheduled to be released on March 1, 2024.
== Reception ==
 
== External links ==
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== References ==
Category:2023 films
Category:2023 comedy films
Category:2023 directorial debut films
Category:2023 independent films
Category:2020s American films
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:A24 (company) films
Category:American comedy films
Category:American independent films
Category:Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
Category:Films affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike
Category:Films about immigration to the United States
Category:Films about mother–son relationships
Category:Films about toys
Category:Films set in New York City
Category:Films shot in New York City
Category:Magic realism films
Category:Surrealist films